Credit reports

How to access reports, read tradelines, spot common errors, and understand report versus score.

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Your credit reports are separate from your credit scores, even though they are related. Reports list account history and other information reported to credit bureaus; scores are models that try to summarize risk using report data (among other factors depending on the model).

For official U.S. access patterns and frequency rules, rely on the CFPB and FTC guidance linked from our sources lists on other pages. Always verify current URLs on official sites before acting.

Guides in this section

• Common credit report errors

  Mixed files, balance mistakes, duplicate accounts, and identity issues — framed for disputes when inaccurate.

• Credit Report vs. Credit Score: What's the Difference?

  Reports are the underlying data; scores are model outputs. Why free reports often omit scores, and how errors flow through.

• Free credit reports

  Authorized sources, frequency limits, and why ‘free’ monitoring apps differ from official reports.

• How to read a credit report

  Sections, account status codes (high level), inquiries, and where errors often appear.

Educational disclaimer

Reporting formats vary by bureau and data furnisher. If you find an error, focus on factual disputes supported by documentation—not on “fixing” accurate history.