A Look at a Sample Credit Report

There are many places and ways to get your credit report, and the format yours comes in may look different than the sample below. But credit reports, no matter where you get them, all include the same elements. Some even include your credit score. I personally prefer getting a 3-bureau credit report, because that corrals all of your credit history in one place and allows you to quickly spot discrepancies in the information Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion have on file for you. 

Credit Scores

If your credit report includes one or more credit scores, as this one does, it must also include the score range on which the score is based. Sometimes, the report will offer up a nifty visual showing how a lender may rank you.

Personal Information

All the basics, like name, address (and even previous addresses), date of birth, SSN, and employer name are included. A 3-bureau credit report like the sample below shows any information discrepancies among the credit bureaus. For instance, one bureau may have more of your employer's information on file than another.

Consumer Statement

You have the right to make a statement on your credit report that any lender will see when they pull your report. For instance, if you feel there is inaccurate data listed on your report but the bureau won't drop it from your file, you can state your case using the Consumer Statement section.

Summary

Often, credit reports will offer a summary of all of your account information, clearly showing how many accounts, delinquencies, and inquiries each bureau has on file for you.

Account History

Here's the meat of the credit report, where all your past credit history is laid out for you (and potential lenders, employers, and insurers) to see. Your account numbers, type of account, account status, level of debt, and past payment history are all listed for each account you have (or have had in the past).

Public Information

If you're lucky, this section of your credit report will be blank. The public records listed on a credit report are never positive. They denote very bad financial history, such as bankruptcy, tax liens, and court judgments against you. If you do have public records listed on your report, make sure you know your state's statute of limitations. In most cases, public records must be dropped from your report after seven years.

Inquiries

Your credit report must list out the names and contact information for anyone who has accessed your report in the past year.

And here's the sample to give you a feel for what a 3-bureau credit report may look like: