A credit report contains information about your credit history and the status of your credit accounts. This information includes how often you make your payments on time, how much credit you have, how much credit you have available, how much credit you are using, and whether a debt collector is collecting on any debt you owe. Credit reports also can contain public records such as liens, judgments, and bankruptcies that provide insight into your financial status and obligations.

Lenders use these reports to help them decide if they will loan you money, what interest rates they will offer you, or to check the status of an existing loan. Companies can purchase these consumer credit reports to help inform them while making  a wide range of business decisions such as providing  or pricing insurance;  renting you an apartment;  and (if you agree to let them look at your consumer report) making employment decisions about you.

Credit reporting companies (also known as credit bureaus or consumer reporting agencies) compile these reports.