Credit reports · Updated October 13, 2026
Get to know your credit report
A credit report and a credit score serve different purposes. Understanding the underlying report is a useful starting point when you have questions about your credit history.
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Start with the details
Use the official resources linked below to learn how to access your reports.
Review identifying details, listed accounts, balances, dates, and unfamiliar entries.
If something seems incorrect, use the reporting company’s and information provider’s official processes and keep records of your communication.
Questions worth asking
- Do I recognize the accounts and identifying information?
- Does a listed balance or date match my records?
- Which organization supplied the information I am questioning?
A detail to keep in mind
Credit scores can differ by model and source. A score on one service should not be treated as a promise about a lender’s decision.
Continue with an official resource
For current information and the next steps that apply to your situation, visit CFPB: Credit reports and scores. These resources are educational links, not endorsements or guarantees.