View an actual credit report.

There are three reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion - that collect information about everyone with credit cards, loans, or other forms of credit. They create a credit report for each person in their files. The information about you includes:

• whether or not you’ve paid your bills on time
• how much you’ve borrowed
• what part of your available credit you are using
• how long you’ve used credit and the kinds you’ve used
• new applications for credit you’ve made
• whether you have ever defaulted, or failed to pay

Any lender from which you ask for a loan or credit card can check your credit report to determine if you are eligible for credit.

From the details in the report, the credit reporting agencies also determine your credit score. Lenders can see that too. To learn more about credit scores, click on the "Next" button below.