The Credit Report
A credit report is most often thought of as a record of your payment history on credit accounts. But even if you've never had a credit card, it is a virtual certainty that one of the major credit reporting agencies has information about you on file. You might be surprised to learn that credit reports also contain the following information:
- Identifying Information
Your name, current and previous addresses, telephone number, Social Security number, date of birth, and current and previous employers.
- Public Record Information
This includes bankruptcy records; tax liens; judgements; collection accounts; and, in some states, overdue child support.
- Inquiries
The name of those who have obtained information about your credit history.
Of course, information about you must be updated frequently in order to keep the report current. That's why some of the information -- such as inquiries -- will drop off after two years. Closed accounts, negative payment histories, and public records will remain for a full seven years. Bankruptcies will follow you around for up to ten years!
