Information Held by a Credit Report Agency
The facts in this article are as pulled from UK BBC reports. However, these standards are fairly universal when it comes to keeping personal files on people. This standard is similar around the world.
Usually information on your credit report includes the following:
- Your personal data such as name and name changes, previous and present addresses, phone number, date of birth, as well as present and past employers is included.
- Information about the types of account you are usually on your credit report. The detail of the date provided about these depends upon the creditor. Usually it is the balances owed and the account you hold, sometimes including an account number.
- Any public records pertaining to filing of bankruptcy or past judgments and lawsuits may also exist on your account. Tax liens are likely to be there as well if you have any. Likewise, any record of home or car repossessions or any other estate repossessions may be on your credit report.
- Surprisingly, contrary to popular belief your credit report also does not have your credit score on it. However, items from it are used to determine your credit score.
- Any alerts you have placed on your file indicating unauthorized use of your files to obtain a loan or credit are also visible. This lets creditors know in case any further attempt are made to apply for financing or seek housing or apply for utilities.
- Records of any accounts settled upon or paid in full are also present on your credit report. Any minor delinquencies also stay on your files for at least a few years.
- Usually any attempts to get credit by you or a merchant are also included. Any disputes you have made are also listed.
- Unpaid child support as well as other fines you did not pay may be on your credit report. It often depends upon how long it has been.
More Info
The rule of thumb is that any transactions and information related to your financial history is included.
More personal information such as religious affiliation or medical history is not on your credit report. Your report also has nothing about your criminal record on it.
You may want to contact one of the credit bureaus for more information. If you actually see your credit report you can find out what exactly is on it.