The typical credit report is a simple document, for all intents and purposes to list all debts (including credit cards, Student loans and mortgage loans) and similar financial obligations of an individual, and a record of the individual’s timeliness in meeting those obligations over a certain period of time. Some employers even use credit reports to include the communication of any information concerning an individual's general reputation or personal characteristics for the purpose of evaluating an application for employment, promotion, assignment or preservation as an employee.

Have you ever applied for a credit card, loan, line of credit or even taken out insurance on your vehicle? If you have then a lender, creditor or someone has checked your credit. If your credit report has derogatory information then you are considered a higher risk and could be turned down for that loan or offered a higher interest rate. Your credit report is an accumulation of information on how you pay your bills and repay loans, how much credit you have available, what your monthly debts are, and other information that can help potential creditors decide whether you are a good credit risk or a bad credit risk.

The report itself does not say whether you are a good or bad credit risk, but it does provide a credit score. Credit Reoprting agencies , also known as consumer reporting agencies (CRAs), collect this information from merchants, lenders, landlords, hospitals, etc., and then sell the report to businesses so they can evaluate your application for credit. Creditors make their decisions based on different criterias, having the information on your credit report helps them ensure that they are making the right decision.

There are three Consumer reporting agencies that report your information, they are:

Equifax
800 685-1111
Get Your Equifax Credit Report Now!
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, Ga.
30374-0241

Experion
888 322 5583
http://www.experian.com
P.O. Box 2002
Allen, Texas 75013

Transunion
800 888-4213
http://www.transunion.com
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, Pa. 19022