It is just like a report card or a resume. It is used to gauge your financial performance.

Who Sees It, Who Doesn't

Not every one has access to your credit report. Banks see it when you apply for loans, mortgages, and credit. Landlords can access it, when you apply for a lease. Employers may use it when they are considering hiring or promoting you. Some educational institutions have access to your report to determine your eligibility for government or private funding.

Credit Reports Contain

• Your name, Social Security number, and birth date
• Current and previous addresses
• Information about your employers, current and previous
• A list of accounts with payment history
• Collection agency referrals
• Inquiries made about you and whether or not you where denied credit
• Bankruptcies, foreclosures, and any tax problems

Consumer Responsibilities

Get a copy of your credit report from the three national agencies Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, yearly, and make sure that the information on file is complete, accurate and consistent. (The consumer reporting agencies charge variable fees based on the state in which you live.)

Credit Reporting Agencies

TransUnion
Consumer Disclosure Center
P.O.Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
800-888-4213
www.transunion.com

Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc.
P.O.Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
800-685-1111
www.equifax.com

Experian National Consumer Assistance Center
P.O.Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013
888-397-3742
www.experian.com