Credit Reports
You will eventually build up enough credit history that it will
appear on a credit report. Credit reports are maintained by the
three major credit bureaus. Activity on credit cards, store charge
accounts, student loans and other types of credit will appear on a
credit report. Activities include your payment history, account
balances, new credit, canceled credit, loan defaults, types of
credit, and name and address changes.
Other information on a credit report include your marital status,
birth date, Social Security number, and public records including
bankruptcy filings, tax liens and any court action that has been
taken against you for unpaid bills. Credit reports cannot include
information such as your race, religion, health status, and
political affiliation.
To see an example of a credit report, click here.
Use credit responsibly as your credit report will document any late
payments on your credit accounts.
Your credit score is calculated by a mathematical equation that
evaluates many types of information that are on your credit report.
The credit score identifies your level of future credit risk.
Lenders use your credit score to lower their risk based on the
report information. The higher the score, the lower the risk to lend
you money.
You may request a copy of your credit report by contacting each of
the three major credit bureaus. There may be a cost for the request,
however, a new law will eventually allow every consumer to receive
one free copy of their credit report each year.
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