Three Major Credit Reporting Agencies and How To Get Your Report

There are three major credit reporting agencies, or bureaus that keep track of your credit information, Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. The credit reporting agencies are all able to provide you with your credit report. They are the ones who determine your credit score.

How do I get my credit report from the credit reporting agencies?

There are many services that you can pay in order to get your credit report from each agency. However, as a United States citizen you can also receive your report for free one time each year from each of the major credit reporting agencies, or bureaus, thanks to an amendment that was made to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. You can go online and print off a form, then mail it to the Annual Credit Report Request service. Another way that you can get your free credit report from the credit reporting agencies is to write them a letter. In the letter you can request your credit report. Also include with your letter a copy of your photo identification.

You have your report from the three agencies, now what?

You need to compare your reports. Comparing them will help you to detect any mistakes that may be on them. If you do find mistakes you need to dispute them with the original lender right away. You also need to determine what debts remain on your report and pay them off as soon as possible as those debts are pulling your credit score down.

Why isn’t my score exactly the same on all of my credit reports?

The three agencys often get some different information about your credit. Due to the differences, your score may be a bit different on each report. If your score is significantly different on the reports, however, that should send a red flag to you to figure out why that is the case.

What else do the agencies do?

The agencies provide several services. On their websites, you can find free information about credit and preventing identity theft and fraud. You will also find various services that you can purchase from them. All three agencies offer credit report monitoring for a fee. In other words, you can pay them to monitor your credit report if you suspect fraudulent activity. Each agency will sell you all three of your credit reports. The agencies are also willing to sell you various tools such as vehicle history reports, credit planning tools and mortgage preparation kits.

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