Credit - Credit Bureaus and Credit Scoring

A credit report contains information on where you work and live, how you pay your bills, and whether you've been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) gather this information and sell it to creditors, employers, insurers, and others. The most common type of CRA is the credit bureau.

The three major national credit bureaus are:
  • Equifax, 1-800-685-1111
    Fraud Hotline: 1-888-766-0008
  • Experian, 1-888-397-3742
    Fraud Hotline: 1-888-397-3742
  • TransUnion, 1-800-916-8800
    Fraud Hotline: 1-800-680-7289

Request your free credit report online or by calling 1-877-322-8228.

FICO

The information in your credit report is used to calculate your FICO score, a number generally between 300 and 850. The acronym stands for Fair, Isaac and Company. The higher your score, the less risk you pose to creditors. A high score, for example, makes it easier for you to obtain a loan, rent an apartment, or lower your insurance rate. Your FICO score is available for a fee. Free credit reports do not contain your credit score, although you can purchase it when you request your free annual credit report.