Credit Reports

Read the Report Before You React to It.

A credit report is a data file. Learn what each section means, what can differ across bureaus and what questions deserve closer review.

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Personal Information

Names • addresses • identifying information

Accounts

Open date • status • balance • limit • history

Inquiries

Who accessed the report and when

Report Anatomy

Review It Section by Section.

Credit Report AnatomyMove through each section

1. Personal Information

Names, addresses and other identifying information can have variations. Learn what belongs here and what deserves a question.

2. Accounts / Tradelines

Review creditor, account type, open date, balance, credit limit or original amount, status and payment history.

3. Collections / Other Information

Understand what is being reported and which company is furnishing the information.

4. Inquiries

Learn why an inquiry appears and the difference between application-related and other access.

Compare

Put the same account side by side across reports.

Check Timing

Different update dates can create different balances or statuses.

Document Questions

Separate what you know from what you need to verify.

Your Next Step

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Educational information is general and does not replace legal, lending, tax or other individualized professional advice. Results and lender decisions vary.