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Your data file

Credit Reports

Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion each keep their own file on you. Check all three often so you can catch mistakes, fraud, or balances that drag your scores down.

  • Nationwide bureaus3
  • Free report guarantee1 / yr
  • Current free cadenceWeekly
  • Most derogatories stay7 yrs
The bureaus

Each bureau may show different information because lenders choose where to report. Checking all three gives you the full picture.

  • Experian — experian.com/reportaccess
  • Equifax — myequifax.com
  • TransUnion — transunion.com/credit-report
What appears on a report?
  • Tradelines
    Lists each credit card or loan with limits, balances, and payment history.
  • Inquiries
    Shows who pulled your credit. Hard pulls come from applications; soft pulls do not hurt.
  • Derogatories
    Shows serious negatives like late payments, collections, charge-offs, and bankruptcies.
How to pull your free reports
  1. 1. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com on a trusted device.
  2. 2. Pick Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Grab all three now or space them out.
  3. 3. Answer the identity questions about your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth.
  4. 4. Save each report. Circle errors, accounts you do not know, or high balances.
  5. 5. Dispute anything wrong with the bureau and lender. Keep copies of what you send.

Federal law gives you one free report from each bureau every year. Weekly pulls are still available right now. Checking your own report is a soft inquiry and does not hurt your score.

Where to find answers
Missed or late payments
Section: Payment history for each tradeline

Late marks 30+ days old hurt scores and can stay up to seven years.

High credit card balances
Section: Current balance vs. credit limit columns

Points to high utilization. Pay cards down before the statement date.

New credit inquiries you do not recognize
Section: Inquiries

May signal identity theft. You can place a fraud alert or freeze.

Collection or charge-off entries
Section: Negative items / collections

Serious negatives. Verify the debt and negotiate only when it is yours.

Closed accounts
Section: Account status or remarks

Shows whether you or the lender closed the account.