Your Credit Report
Your credit report is a valuable document when it comes to purchasing a home. Before approving your request for a home loan, mortgage lenders review your credit report.
Under federal law, you have the right to obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the consumer reporting agencies once a year. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com.
Your credit report is a summary of your credit history. It lists:
- Identifying Information: Your name, address, Social Security number, date of birth and employment information is used to identify you.
- Trade Lines: Current and historical credit accounts, including the type of account (mortgage, credit cards, auto loans, student loans, department store cards, etc.)
- Public Record and Collections: bankruptcies, foreclosures, suits, wage garnishment, liens and collections activities
- Credit Inquiries: This section contains a list of everyone who accessed your credit report over the last 2 years.
You have a right to dispute any inaccurate information in your credit report. If you find mistakes on your credit report, contact the consumer reporting agency. Please visit Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. For more information about credit reports and your rights under federal law, visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's website at www.consumerfinance.gov/learnmore.