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What's Included in Your Personal Credit Report?

Learn About Credit ReportA major part of understanding a consumer credit report and having some perspective on the state of your credit rating is deciphering all the credit report information within these sometimes-confusing documents. Below is a handy guide to what you can expect to see when you request your personal credit report.

Credit report information

If it's been a while since you read your credit report, you owe it to yourself to request one as soon as possible. You'll be able to address any errors, make informed decisions about major purchases made with credit, and detect any identity theft activity before it has a chance to ruin your credit. Here's a concise list of what's included in the credit report information provided to you by credit reporting agencies:

  • Personal information. This includes your name, employer, telephone number, Social Security number, current and former addresses, and current and former employers. If you're married and share finances, your spouse's name may also be included in the credit report information.

  • Credit history. This information makes up the bulk of the personal credit report and includes your current and former accounts with credit card companies, banks, retailers, mortgage lenders, and any other past and present credit information. It describes in great detail when your accounts were opened, the credit limit or size of the loan(s), current balances, the types of credit issued, monthly payments, and any late payments or accounts that were delinquent.

  • Public records. This credit report information includes any bankruptcies, court judgments, and/or liens against your name for unpaid taxes or other unpaid loans that went to collections.

  • Credit report inquiries. When an agency of any kind requests your credit report information, this inquiry is noted and becomes part of your credit report. Notes will be made any time you apply for any type of loan or credit card; take out a line of credit with a retailer; or reply to unsolicited inquiries, such as pre-approved credit card solicitations.

  • Any disputes you may have filed. Any time you dispute any type of claim, it's noted on your credit report. If you see any inaccuracies and wish to dispute them to preserve your credit rating, your attempts are noted as part of your credit report information.

What's not included in your credit report information is your race, criminal record, driving record, religious affiliation, health records, and current level of income. This is intentional: The outcome of every credit application is supposed to be based solely on how responsibly you've managed your credit.

With the number of identity theft cases increasing each year, it's never been more important to monitor your credit regularly. This can help you safeguard your credit history report around the clock by providing you real-time email notifications whenever changes are made to your credit profile.

 

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