Credit Scores & Reports Guide
Master your credit by understanding how scores work, how to read your credit report, and where to get free credit monitoring.
Credit Score Ranges
300-579
Very difficult to get approved for credit
580-669
May qualify with higher rates
670-739
Good rates and terms available
740-799
Excellent rates and premium cards
800-850
Best rates and terms available
Understanding Your Credit Report
Personal Information
- • Full name and any aliases
- • Current and previous addresses
- • Social Security number
- • Date of birth
- • Employment information
Credit Accounts
- • Account type and status
- • Credit limit or loan amount
- • Current balance
- • Payment history
- • Date opened and closed
Credit Inquiries
- • Hard inquiries (affect score)
- • Soft inquiries (don't affect score)
- • Date of inquiry
- • Company that pulled credit
- • Stay on report for 2 years
Public Records
- • Bankruptcies
- • Tax liens
- • Civil judgments
- • Foreclosures
- • Can stay 7-10 years
Free Credit Monitoring Resources
AnnualCreditReport.com
Official site for free annual credit reports from all three bureaus
Federally mandated • 100% Free
Credit Card Companies
Many credit cards offer free FICO scores to cardholders
Updated monthly • No additional cost
Credit Monitoring Apps
Apps like Credit Karma, Credit Sesame offer free scores and monitoring
Real-time alerts • Educational tools
Disputing Credit Report Errors
- 1Identify errors in your credit report carefully
- 2Contact the credit bureau in writing
- 3Provide supporting documentation
- 4Follow up within 30 days for response
Common Errors to Look For
- Incorrect personal information
- Accounts that aren't yours
- Incorrect payment history
- Wrong account balances or limits
- Outdated negative information
Credit Bureau Contact Information
Experian
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013
1-888-397-3742
Equifax
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
1-800-685-1111
TransUnion
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
1-800-916-8800
Monitor Your Credit Health
Check your credit report at least once a year and monitor your score monthly to catch errors early.