Just as all credit isn't treated the same, some parts of your free consumer credit report are
more important than others. Creditors try to predict your future actions by what you done in the
past. And if your free consumer credit report shows predominantly positive or negative
behavior, they'll expect that to continue.
There are five types of information in your free consumer credit report:
1) Individual Identification
This part of the report has your name, birth date, Social Security number and telephone number.
It also lists your home and work addresses.
2) Credit History
The credit history has the record for all your most recent credit accounts. The account
information comes directly from the creditor. For each account there is recorded such things
as, the date the account was opened, the amount of the original balance and whether the bills
have been paid on time. Some credit accounts, like those with credit unions, hospitals, local
stores or oil company credit cards, aren't included.
3) Information from Public Records
This section of your free consumer credit report contains relevant financial items from the
public records. It documents civil judgments, tax liens and bankruptcies.
4) Credit Report Requests
Whenever your credit report is requested by a creditor it's listed in the requested report
section. The documentation of these requests remains in your report for one year or if the
request was from an employer, two years. However, report inquiries in connection with
unsolicited credit card offers only show up in your copy of the credit report. Creditors'
copies of your report won't have them.
5) Optional Consumer Statement
This part of your free consumer credit report contains your version of any information in the
report that you feel is in error or needs explanation. You can have it included if you've
disputed the information and had your requested change denied. You're allowed up to 100 words
for this statement.
Things not included in Your Credit Report
By law, credit reporting agencies are prevented from including gender, religion,
race or nationality in your credit report.
To get your free consumer credit report and free 30 days of credit monitoring, please go to
free instant credit reports.
