Credit Report Monitoring FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Credit Report Monitoring

What exactly is and is not included in my credit report?

Information that is included in your credit report:

Personal Information: Compiled from credit applications you've filled out over the years, this information typically includes your name and any previous names used, your current and previous addresses, telephone number(s), social security number, date of birth and current and previous employers.

Credit Information: This information mainly consists of specific account information from your current and past credit accounts, as well as accounts that list you as an authorized user. Account data includes the date each account was opened, the credit limit or amount of the loan, the payment terms, the balance, and monthly payment history. Most negative information (such as late payments) will remain on your credit report for seven years, while positive information can remain indefinitely.

Public Record Information: These are matters of public record obtained from government sources such as courts of law, and can include items such as bankruptcies, tax liens and overdue child support. Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings remain on your credit report for 10 years, while Chapter 13 filings remain for 7 years. Unpaid tax liens remain for 15 years or more if left unpaid, but only 7 years from the date the lien is paid. Most other public record information remains for 7 years.

Inquiries: Credit bureaus record a "hard inquiry" in your credit file any time a third party, such as a lender, credit card company or landlord, request your credit report in order to grant you credit. These hard inquiries are typically only made when you are requesting credit. If you have too many of these hard inquiries in a short period of time, it can negatively affect your credit score. Hard inquiries remain on your credit report for two years. A "soft inquiry" is when a lender requests your credit report for marketing purposes when you are not requesting credit, such as to offer you a preapproved credit offer. Soft inquiries do not affect your credit score and do not show up on credit reports given to third parties, although some credit bureaus will include them for informational purposes only on your own credit report that they provide to you.

Information that is not included in your credit report:

A credit report does not include any information about your checking, savings or brokerage accounts or any information that occurred outside the time limits described above. It also does not include any criminal records or information about race, religious preference, medical history, lifestyle, etc. Your credit score is not included in your credit report, but it is generated from information contained in your credit report.

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