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Credit Reports, How You’re Being Scored and Why it Matters

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Your credit report is a compilation of data that is gathered and updated regularly by credit reporting agencies or “credit bureaus.” Credit reporting agencies sell this information to lenders and other companies and organizations to help them determine how you manage credit before lending, insuring, or even hiring you. Checking your report also helps protect you from fraud, inaccurate reporting, and identify theft.

NFCC Certified Credit Counselors will provide you with a complete overview and understanding of what’s on your credit report, and give you feedback and guidance on ways to improve your credit worthiness. Obtaining counseling has no negative impact on your credit score and isn’t reported to the credit bureau.

Get one-on-one help

After completing a credit report review session you will have:

  1. A full understanding of how to interpret the information found on your credit report.
  2. An understanding of how your credit score is used
  3. Suggestions on how to use credit wisely to ensure your credit remains up-to-date.

What information is included on your credit report?

Identifying Information

Includes your name, date of birth, social security number, current and previous addresses, and phone numbers, to ensure the information is matched to the right person. In addition it helps detect and prevent identity theft/fraud.

Employment History

Record of all the places you’ve worked and the length of time you’ve worked at each position.

Existing Credit History

This includes detailed information about any credit accounts (credit cards, mortgages and loans) you have, including: when each account was opened, your credit limit or loan total, co-signer information, recent account balance, highest account balance, monthly payment, and recent payment.

Closed Accounts

Credit information about closed accounts remain on your credit report for 10 years except for negative accounts, which are removed after 7 years.

Payment History

The MOST important and impactful information is your payment history. It determines 35% of a FICO score and both paid and missed payments stay on the report for seven years.

Public Records

Credit information about closed accounts remain on your credit report for 10 years except for negative accounts, which are removed after 7 years.

Credit Inquiries

List of companies and individuals who requested a copy of the report in the past two years. Inquiries are listed as voluntary or involuntary depending on whether you or someone else requested the inquiry.

Who Looks at Your Credit Report?

Department Stores
Banks and financial institutions
Utilities, Cable and Cellular Providers
Credit card companies
Landlords
Automobile Dealers
Possible Employers
Insurance Companies

How a Credit Score is Determined

Most lenders use a mathematical formula to generate a “score” to help them determine if you are a good credit risk. The most frequently used version is the FICO® Score created by Fair Isaac and Company. A FICO® Score is a snapshot of your credit risk picture at a particular point in time. FICO® Scores range between 300 and 850 with higher values indicating a lower risk to lenders.

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