Although each credit reporting agency may report information differently, all credit reports contain the following information:

Identifying Information. This includes your name, current and previous addresses, birth date, Social Security number, spouse's name, and current and previous employers.




Trade Lines. These are your credit accounts. Lenders report on each account you have established with them. They report the type of account (credit card, auto loan, mortgage, etc), the date you opened the account, your credit limit or loan amount, the account balance, and your payment history.




Inquiries. A credit inquiry is an item on a credit report that shows a business has previously requested a copy of the report. Businesses are permitted to request your credit report only in limited circumstances as permitted by the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and applicable state law.




Public records. Credit reporting agencies also collect public record information from state and county courts, and information on overdue debt from collection agencies. Public record information includes bankruptcies, foreclosures, suits, wage attachments, liens and judgments.