Answers About Credit Reports

Select from the following questions about credit reports, report errors, and other credit report issues.


What is a credit report?

A report issued by a credit bureau or credit-reporting agency on the credit history and payment history of borrowers.

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How do I order a credit report?

You are entitled to one free annual credit report every 12 months from each of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. AnnualCreditReport.com, which was created by the three credit bureaus, is a centralized service for requesting your free annual credit reports. You can order all three credit reports at the same time, or order one now and others later.

AnnualCreditReport.com enables you to request, view, and print your credit report in a secure Internet environment. Or you can have your report mailed to you.

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Why is the OCC listed on my credit report?

All Federal regulatory agencies are listed on credit reports. This enables consumers to obtain contact information should they need to file a complaint against a creditor.

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My credit report contains accounts that I never applied for. How can I have them removed?

You have the right to examine your credit file and to explain or correct information. The credit bureaus must investigate your claim and delete any information found to be inaccurate or no longer verifiable.

You can also file a statement explaining any information in your file. The credit bureaus must retain this statement.

You are entitled to one free annual credit report every 12 months from each of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. AnnualCreditReport.com, which was created by the three credit bureaus, is a centralized service for requesting your free annual credit reports. You can order all three credit reports at the same time, or order one now and others later.

AnnualCreditReport.com enables you to request, view, and print your credit report in a secure Internet environment. Or you can have your report mailed to you.

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My credit report contains inaccuracies. How can I fix it?

You have the right to examine your credit file and to explain or correct information. The credit bureaus must investigate your claim and delete any information found to be inaccurate or no longer verifiable.

You can also file a statement explaining any information in your file. The credit bureaus must retain this statement.

You are entitled to one free annual credit report every 12 months from each of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. AnnualCreditReport.com, which was created by the three credit bureaus, is a centralized service for requesting your free annual credit reports. You can order all three credit reports at the same time, or order one now and others later.

AnnualCreditReport.com enables you to request, view, and print your credit report in a secure Internet environment. Or you can have your report mailed to you.

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When can a bank pull a credit report?

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a bank can obtain a consumer report for any legitimate business need, including the following:

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How long can negative information stay on my credit report?

Under the provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, adverse information—collection actions, charge-offs, suits, and judgments—may be reported for 7 years.

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How long can a bankruptcy stay on my credit report?

Under the provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a credit bureau may report a bankruptcy for 10 years from the date of a court's decision or judgment.

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How long does information stay on ChexSystemsSM?

Generally, information remains on ChexSystemsSM for 5 years.

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Can the OCC help me with my credit report?

The OCC does not maintain or dispense credit information.

You are entitled to one free annual credit report every 12 months from each of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. AnnualCreditReport.com, which was created by the three credit bureaus, is a centralized service for requesting your free annual credit reports. You can order all three credit reports at the same time, or order one now and others later.

AnnualCreditReport.com enables you to request, view, and print your credit report in a secure Internet environment. Or you can have your report mailed to you.

If you have any questions regarding the actions of a credit bureau, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-382-4357.

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When can a bank review my credit report?

A bank may obtain a consumer credit report for the following authorized reasons:

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Can the bank report information on a debt of my ex-spouse on my credit report?

Yes, if the loan was a joint account. Joint credit account holders remain liable on the account until the debt is satisfied or some other manner of release occurs.

When married joint account holders get divorced, the following factors apply:

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