What is a credit report?

Your credit report is made up of all the credit-related data a credit bureau has gathered about you from things like mortgage payment records, credit card balances, credit card payments, auto loan payments and credit inquiries. It may also include public records, such as tax liens, that the credit bureau thinks can affect your credit worthiness. Your credit report usually includes a list of companies that have given you credit or loans, the amounts of each loan and credit limits for each credit card, as well as how often you paid your credit or loans on time. It may also include companies that have asked to see your credit report recently, along with your current and past addresses and/or employers.