How to check your credit report

You can check your credit report through credit reference agencies (CRAs), such as Equifax, TransUnion and Experian.

CRAs hold and collect secure information on your credit history.

Here, we look at:

What your credit report shows

Why you should check your credit report

Does checking your credit report affect your credit score?

Ways you can check your credit report

How much does it cost to check your credit report?

How to raise a dispute on your credit report?

What does your credit report show?

name
date of birth
social security number
telephone number
address
employment information
type of account, such as bank card, auto loan or mortgage
date account was opened
credit limit or loan amount
account balance
payment history
list of lenders who accessed your credit report within the last 2 years
dates of inquiries
company requesting your credit record
delinquency information
overdue debt from collection agencies
public record information, such as bankruptcies, foreclosures, tax liens, garnishments and legal suits

You credit report doesn’t include

your income
the amount of money you have, including savings
any student loans you have
your criminal record
your medical history
parking or driving fines

Why you should check your credit report

Checking your credit report offers an insight into your borrowing history.

Not only can you see the information banks and other lenders use when deciding whether to lend to you or not – it also gives you the chance to improve your credit score before you apply for credit.

Does checking your credit report affect your credit score?

Your credit score can be affected when lenders do a hard credit check, which generally happens when you apply for credit – not when you check your report.

So you can check your credit report as often as you like without it affecting your credit score.

Ways you can check your credit report

The main 3 CRAs in the US are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Each collects your data differently, so your credit score can vary depending on the CRA.

How to check your credit report online

You can make direct online requests from as many of the CRAs as you like. But you may need to create an account with each of them to be able to access your report.

Check your TransUnion credit report

Check your Experian credit report

Check your Equifax credit report

Check your annual credit report