Your credit report, decoded
Your report is the raw material your score is computed from. Knowing what’s in it — and catching what shouldn’t be — is the highest-leverage credit move most people never make.
See my Equifax data freeWhat’s inside a credit report
Accounts
Every open and recently closed credit account: cards, loans, mortgages — with balances, limits, and payment history month by month. Payment history is the single largest score factor.
Inquiries
Hard inquiries from applications you filed (visible to lenders, minor temporary score impact) and soft inquiries like ours (visible only to you, zero impact).
Derogatory marks
Collections, charge-offs, bankruptcies, and late payments. Most fall off after seven years, and their score impact fades well before they disappear.
Personal information
Names, addresses, and employers associated with your file. Errors here are worth fixing — mismatches can slow loan verification.
Your legal right: federal law entitles you to free reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com — the only federally authorized source. Use it alongside CreditGridPro; they complement each other.
Credit report FAQs
Is this the same as my government free report?
No, and you should use both. Federal law gives you free reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. CreditGridPro adds an always-available Equifax view with your score and offer matching on top.
How do I dispute an error?
Disputes go to the bureau directly. Equifax accepts disputes online, by phone, and by mail, and must investigate within 30 days. Fixing a wrongly reported late payment can move a score significantly.
Why do the three bureaus show different things?
Lenders choose which bureaus they report to, so Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion each hold a slightly different picture. Big discrepancies are a signal to check for errors or fraud.
Does checking my report hurt my score?
Never. Reviewing your own report is always a soft inquiry, whether here or at AnnualCreditReport.com.