Credit reports come in various formats depending upon who is requesting them. The consumer version includes all information listed below as well as list of all inquiries. The business has all the information as in consumer version but the list of inquiries is scaled down to only the inquiries made by companies with a permissible purpose which is in fact means that you have initiated the business. The underlying information is present in your credit report.

Personal identification information

This section of credit report includes your name, previous and current address, social security number, telephone number, birth data, previous and current employer, and your spouse's name as well.

Credit report however, does not include the following information;

• Your bank account balances
• Your checking or savings account
• Your Race
• Your gender
• Your Religion
• Your medical history
• Your national origin
• Criminal records
• Your salary
• Your driving records
• Your score

Credit history

Credit report also contains your billing history involving bank loans and
cards, stores, finance companies, mortgage companies, and creditors. It includes Account information, such as number of accounts, type of
accounts (joint, individual, cosigner etc), dates on which it was opened, credit
worth, monthly payments, late payments, account number, creditor's name, amount
borrowed, and amount owed. The debts include mortgage,
loans, medical loans etc. accounts turned over to collection agencies, dates
regarding this turn over etc are also listed here. The types
of accounts are revolving or installment. There might be a rating system
associated with the account types in the credit report as described below.

Rating system in credit history

Some times a rating system is also used to represent account types. This system
involves a symbol system. R and I symbols are used which mean the account is revolving
or Installment. Further each symbol is assigned a number like R1, R2 or I1, I2
to show more information. Each number (0-9) has its own meaning, Such as;

0- account unused

1- Account has been paid

2- More than 30 days past due

3- More than 60 days past due

4- More than 90 days past due

5- More than 120 days past due

7- Bankruptcy or a collection account

8- Foreclosure or seizure

9- Bad debt

Public records

This Credit report section contains your public records such as, tax liens, court judgments and bankruptcies. Any negative information in this section has a bad affect on your credit worthiness. Even if you pay it off, the information like bankruptcy stays for a time period of 10 years which indicates a potential future concern for the creditors.

Report inquiries

All credit granters who get a copy of your credit report are listed here. The list also includes other businesses that have accessed it for credit offers. When you get your copies for error checking then that information is also added here.

Inquiries

In this section all inquiries made by the businesses are listed. Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) protects your rights, and allows only inquiries from companies with permissible purpose to access it. There are two types of inquiries.

Hard Inquiries

You allow viewing of credit report when ever you do some business with a company, such as getting a new
finance line. You also allow
your employer to view your report. By viewing the report they
determine your integrity by seeing how you manage your debts. These inquiries
appear on your credit report and also affect the
score.

Soft Inquiries

Credit report buisness version doesn't include any promotional inquires, account managements inquiries which are not counted as official inquiries.

• Promotional Inquiries: Several vendors query customer databases on a set of parameters to get mailing addresses. These people don't actually view your report but only filter out the people who meet their criteria for a credit or insurance offer. In case you don't want such offers you can write to the three bureaus and your name will be removed for 2 years from mailing and telemarketing list.
• Account Management Inquiries: These inquiries are made by the creditors who already have business with you. They can review your credit report on periodic basis but these are not counted as official inquiries.

Dispute Statements

The credit reports some times also include disputes that you have made on erroneous information on your report.