| Your credit report is actually a credit history. It is created
by data about you from many different sources. Companies that
have granted you credit make regular reports about your accounts
to the three main CRAs: Equifax, Experian (formerly TRW),
and TransUnion. If you are late in making payments, those
to whom you owe money such as utilities, hospitals, landlords
and others may report this information to the CRA. Your bank
may inform the CRA if you overdraw your account or do not
make credit card, auto loan, or mortgage payments on time.
Your credit report may also contain information about delinquent
child support payments.
Your credit report contains your name and any name variations,
your address, and previous addresses, telephone number (including
unlisted number), Social Security number, year and month
of birth, and employment information. Information in your
report also includes matters of public record such as civil
judgments, tax liens and bankruptcies.
You have the right to know who has inquired about your
credit file or has requested your report over the last six
months. Reports you receive must also include the identity
of all such inquiries. Inquiries related to pre-approved
offers, as well as your own inquiries, are not available
to credit grantors. However, they are included in credit
reports that you order for yourself.
The FCRA allows CRAs to report records of convictions of
crime. However, it is not the practice of any of the three
main CRAs to report criminal convictions on credit reports.
Such information may, however, be reported in connection
with an employer background check, an application for automobile
insurance, or an application to rent a house or apartment.
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