How to read your credit report
Your credit report looks like a wall of numbers. It's actually just a few sections, and each one tells you something. Here's what to look at.
Where to get it
Get all 3 reports free at AnnualCreditReport.com. Free weekly reports from all three bureaus are permanent, so you can check as often as you need.
1. Personal information
Your names, addresses, date of birth and sometimes employers. Check for misspellings, addresses you never lived at and names that aren't yours. These can be disputed too.
2. Accounts
Every credit card, loan, car note and mortgage. For each one check the open date, credit limit or loan amount, balance, status and whether it's open or closed.
3. Payment history
A month by month grid on each account. Clean months show as on time. Late months show as 30, 60, 90 or more days late. Check every late mark against your records.
4. Collections and charge offs
Debts sent to collectors or written off by the lender. Note the collector, the original creditor, the balance and the dates.
5. Public records
Bankruptcies show here. Check that anything listed is yours and the dates are right.
6. Inquiries
Hard inquiries come from credit applications. Soft inquiries come from checking your own report or pre screened offers and don't affect your score.
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Join Standing SkoolCommon questions
How often can I check my credit report for free?
Every week, from all 3 bureaus, at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Does checking my own report hurt my score?
No. Checking your own report is a soft inquiry.
Why are my 3 reports different?
Equifax, Experian and TransUnion don't share data, and lenders don't always report to all three.
What should I check first?
Personal info, then every late mark, collection and charge off.