Lenders who extend you credit give consumer reporting agencies details about your credit. They provide agencies with the type of credit account you have and how you pay your bills. These facts are the basis for your consumer report, which details your credit history.
As a consumer, you most likely have three credit reports. You have one report at each of the three major consumer reporting agencies (Equifax, Transunion and Experian).
There are several pieces of information that go into your credit report. This information gets summarized into your FICO® Score. The FICO® Score is a single number that lenders use to assess your credit risk quickly, and fairly and consistently. This is a big reason why FICO® Scores are used in 90% of lending decisions.
All credit reports contain the same types of information:
Your name, address, Social Security number, date of birth and employment information. This information isn't used to calculate FICO® Scores. It's only used to identify you.
Most lenders report on the type of account you have with them (such as a credit card or auto loan). They also report the date you opened the account, your credit limit or loan amount, account balance and your payment history.
When you apply for a loan, you authorize your lender to ask for a copy of your credit report. The inquiry section contains a list of everyone who accessed your credit report within the last two years.
Consumer reporting agencies collect information on overdue debt. They get this information from collection agencies. They also get public record information. This includes bankruptcies, foreclosures, tax liens and legal suits. In general, these items remain on your credit report for 7 to 10 years.
