Which Credit Bureau Should I Use To Check My Credit Report?

There are three main credit bureaus in the United States; Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. Each bureau collects your personal and financial information which is then sold to lenders such as banks, credit unions, credit card companies, mortgage and auto loan lenders. Your credit report is the product of this collected information. Lending and credit companies use your credit information to determine if they will approve you or not and at what interest rate you will pay.

Many people are recognizing the importance of checking their own credit report to verify its accuracy and to make sure that they know where they stand in the credit world. Until they begin the process to obtain a copy of their credit report, some people do not realize that they actually have three credit reports instead of just one. The three main credit bureaus keep separate credit records from one another and produce their own credit reports. Instead of the credit bureaus working together and sharing information among themselves like some people may think, they are actually competitors. That is why the information provided on one credit report will more than likely be different from the information provided on the credit report from another credit bureau. Therefore, it is recommended to check your credit report from all three credit bureaus in order to see the complete picture.

There are a couple of options to checking all three of your credit reports. You can contact each of the credit bureaus individually to request a copy. Or you can go through one of the many companies that provide a 3-in-1 credit report like http://www.credit-report-credit-score.com. Obtaining a 3-in-1 credit report is usually more convenient and user friendly to the consumer compared to requesting individual copies.

Verifying the data on all three of your credit reports is the only way to know that the information that potential lenders and creditors are evaluating you on is correct. When considering you for a loan, some lenders will pull your credit report from only one or two of the credit bureaus while other lenders will pull your credit report from all three. It is always a good idea to check your credit reports BEFORE applying for your next big purchase. Covering your bases beforehand can often times save you a lot of time and hassle during the application process.

-------------------------
Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the authors bio paragraph at the bottom of this article is included, the article is published "as is" (unedited) and all URL's are made active hyperlinks with no syntax changes.
-------------------------

This article was written by Beth Pardue who has over 10 years of experience in the financial industry assisting clients with assorted financial needs. To learn more about credit reports or to get a free credit report online please visit: http://www.credit-report-credit-score.com

---

Credit Report ? Check Yours Regularly - and for Free

In the twenty-first century, there are few documents that have... Read More

Credit Cards - The Top 3 Things You Need To Know

Today there are so many different credit cards available, student... Read More

Addressing Bad Credit Card Debt

Spending HabitsSo you've just got your credit card. The first... Read More

Bank Robbery Growing In U.S.

Bank robbery has grown to become a huge problem in... Read More

Credit Cards -- What You Should Know

There are a lot of questions about using credit cards.... Read More

A No-Brainer Way Of Getting Credit And Credit Cards

What Is Your Credit Rating Now?If you have any charge... Read More

Credit Repair Kit Sound To Good To Be True? It Is.

A lot of people have bad credit. It is unfortunate... Read More

Credit Card Is Adding The Silver Lining To Your Pocket

In the new millennium plastic money or credit cards has... Read More

The Easy Way To Gain Access To Your Free Online Credit Report

When you apply for credit, those lending you the money... Read More

Finding and Applying for the Right Credit Card Offer Online

Anywhere you go online nowadays, you will see a multitude... Read More

Beginners Guide to Credit

I remember back when I was 18 and completely oblivious... Read More

Credit Card Debt: One Way To Avoid It

One of the biggest problems people have in these modern... Read More

Fun with Credit Cards

For those of us who know how to use them... Read More

Rebuild & Keep Good Credit Ratings by Understanding Your Credit Cards

Secured Credit Card is similar to a prepaid credit card... Read More

The Best Strategy To Erase Credit Card Debt

Credit card debt is a growing sickness in the United... Read More

Useful Tips When Choosing Credit Cards

Chances are you have received your share of "pre-approved" credit... Read More

Building Business Credit

Most businesses want to be able to borrow money when... Read More

What Is a FICO Score and How Do I Make It Work for Me?

Whether or not you receive a loan and what interest... Read More

Common Credit Score Myths

A lot of credit score myths about fico score ratings... Read More

How To Choose Your Credit Card Application

The articles and tips provided on this site are intended... Read More

Home Loans ? Repair Your Credit Before You Buy

Before you take out a home loan or make any... Read More

How Can A Qualified Mortgage Consultant Help Boost Your Credit Scores?

Consumers interested in purchasing or refinancing a home will pay... Read More

Searching For A Low Interest Credit Card?

These days, people need to very carefully consider what type... Read More

Credit Cards or Store Cards - Which Is Better?

Introduction In this article, a presentation is made of the... Read More

Its Your Credit - Take Care of It!

Thanks to the Fair and Accurate Credit Act, American consumers... Read More

Rewards Cards - Are They Right For You?

Rewards cards have become the latest rage in the credit... Read More

7 Ways To Squash Identity Theft

It is the scourge of our age: identity theft. Thieves... Read More

10 Signs You May Need Credit Counseling

Debt management programs can be of real help for people... Read More

Credit Card Debt: How To Control It

A lot of people spend more money than they can... Read More

What You Should Know About Credit Counseling

Credit counseling is a free service that many people with... Read More

Saving Money with Credit Cards

Having a credit card is a wonderful convenience for those... Read More

Minimum Credit Card Payments to Rise

For years, major credit card companies have allowed cardholders to... Read More

Four Tips How Homeowners Can Rebuild Their Life After a Foreclosure

Let's face it, if you are facing the possibilities of... Read More