What to Know About Credit Reports
A credit report contains your detailed information about your credit history as submitted to the credit reporting agency by the lenders who may have extended credit to you. Your credit report describes the types of credit you use, the amount of time your accounts have been in operation, and whether you have paid your bills on time. Moreover, a credit report includes information on your area of residence, whether you’ve been arrested or sued or have filed for bankruptcy.
It is crucial to note that your respective credit information helps lenders determine the amount of credit you have utilized and whether you are seeking for currently new credit sources.
The significance of a credit score from a credit report.
Did you know that your credit report reveals some aspects of your borrowing activities? This implies that every piece of data should be considered in relationship to the related information texts. The ability to promptly, consistently and fairly review all the data is perhaps what makes credit accumulation so essential.
The Credit Report Agencies.
You should note that there are three bureaus, which maintain credit reports, including Equifax, Experian, and the TransUnion. The lenders submit the available updates regarding the credit profile of yours, to any of these credit reporting agencies. Bearing in mind that banks and the other lenders necessarily don’t report your credit information to all these three bodies, your credit information might vary. Additionally, lenders often submit your information at different times, and this implies that your credit report may contain varied data, same to your credit scores.
Can a credit report have any other data unrelated to credit?
The answer to this particular question is yes. This is because, the credit report of every individual also acts as a storage for some personal information, including your previous and current addresses, public records, names, and employers.
What is the relevance of my credit report?
When you make an application for credit, whether a car loan or a mortgage, the lenders must have a way to prove that you are either a safe bet or not. This is where this particular information becomes useful. Your credit also includes a detailed record of the financial solidity of yours.
For how long can a negative information remain on my credit data?
It is crucial to note that the negative information typically stays on your history for seven years, and it even takes up to ten years for it to be eliminated, especially if you’ve been through bankruptcy. On the other hand, the positive or valid information usually stays on your history for an average of ten years from the time its respective account is deactivated. This rule also applies to accounts such as car and mortgage loans, which have a fixed repayment duration. For revolving accounts, including credit cards, your valid or positive information will remain on your history until the account stops operating or is closed.
Where can I report some of the information that is negative on my credit report?
It is critical to note that you have the freedom and the right to include a report to your credit information which explains why, for instance, if a few issues of late payment are appearing on your history. This statement can then be given to anyone who may need your report. Life is complicated and unpredictable, and maybe who knows? This particular statement may persuade an otherwise unwilling lender to offer you an opportunity.
Other than potential lenders and the credit agencies, who else can access my credit report?
Well, if you didn’t know, the Federal Credit Fair Reporting Act prevents individuals having information regarding your credit information from misusing it, and additionally, the law dictates the manner in which your credit history is handled. Below is a comprehensive list of firms that can lawfully have access to the credit data of yours under certain circumstances.
• Employer
• Collection companies
• Utility companies
• Auto insurance companies
• Judgment creditors
• Government agencies
• Landlords
• Mortgage lenders
Finally, unless in the case of court-ordered credit pulls and checks carried out for purposes of marketing, no any other individual is allowed to access your credit information without your confirmation or authorization. Your credit information is very important. It can either positively or negatively affect your future financial activities in a number of ways. The article has explained to you in excruciating detail, the credit report basics you should know.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock/ Billion Photos