Blog

Data, research, and reports

Published JAN 31, 2019

Know your data: Our latest list of consumer reporting companies

The CFPB’s latest list of consumer reporting companies gives you the details you need to obtain your reports so you can review your data and take more control over your financial life.

By Jonah Kaplan

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Data
• • Financial education

Info for consumers

Published JAN 15, 2019

Credit score myths that might be holding you back from improving your credit

These common myths may be stopping you from improving your credit score.

By Liane Fiano

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Financial education
• • Financial well-being

Info for consumers

Published JAN 15, 2019

Los mitos sobre el puntaje crediticio que pueden impedirle mejorar su credito

Estos mitos populares sobre el crédito pueden estar impidiéndole mejorar su puntaje crediticio.

By Liane Fiano

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Financial education
• • Financial well-being

Data, research, and reports

Published NOV 21, 2018

Natural disaster assistance is reported on a minority of credit records among potentially affected consumers

Recent natural disasters, such as Hurricane Harvey in 2017, have significantly impacted some consumers financially. In this report, the Bureau examines how natural disasters are reported in consumers’ credit reports.

By Daniel Banko-Ferran and Judith Ricks

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Data
• • Research

Info for consumers

Published SEP 27, 2018

Managing someone else’s money: New protection from ID theft and fraud

The Bureau’s Office of Financial Protection for Older Americans and FTC are sharing information about a new law that allows financial caregivers to request a credit freeze for a loved one whose money they’re managing.

By Stacy Canan and Lois Greisman

• • Credit cards
• • Credit reports and scores
• • Financial education
• • Older Americans

Info for consumers

Published SEP 21, 2018

Free credit freezes are here

Free credit freezes and year-long fraud alerts are here, starting Sept. 21, 2018, thanks to a new federal law. Here’s what you should know.

By Gail Hillebrand and Andrew Smith

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Servicemembers

Data, research, and reports

Published AUG 22, 2018

More than 1-in-5 consumers had telecommunications-related collections on their consumer report in the past 5 years

Consumers typically pay for telecommunications services monthly, but most providers do not report to consumer reporting agencies unless an account is in collections. In this report, we explore how these debts are reported.

By Nicholas Tremper

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Data
• • Debt collection
• • Research

Info for consumers

Published AUG 20, 2018

WARNO: New security clearance guidelines make it more important than ever for servicemembers to monitor their credit

How to safeguard your credit record and avoid security clearance problems.

By Anthony Camilli and Joshua Friedman

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Debt collection
• • Servicemembers

Info for consumers

Published MAY 16, 2018

A new list identifies more ways to access credit scores—for free

Do you know your credit score? See where you might get one of your credit scores free of charge.

By Irene Skricki

• • Credit reports and scores

Info for consumers

Published APR 13, 2018

3 common credit issues and what you can do to fix them

Resources to resolve common credit issues, like improving bad credit, understanding your credit score, building a credit history, and dealing with identity theft.

By Liane Fiano

• • Credit reports and scores

Info for consumers

Published MAR 30, 2018

Ask CFPB your questions about credit reports and scores

The CFPB is celebrating Financial Capability Month by helping consumers make better-informed decisions. We are taking to Twitter to answer your #AskCFPB questions on credit reports and scores.

By Liane Fiano

• • Credit reports and scores

Info for consumers

Published MAR 20, 2018

4 tips to spring clean your finances

This spring, clean up your household finances by following our tips on money management, including budgets, credit reports, credit cards, debt, and savings.

By Liane Fiano

• • Credit cards
• • Credit reports and scores
• • Saving

Info for consumers

Published FEB 16, 2018

Thinking about buying a house in 2018? Here’s what you need to know

Get ready to buy a home this year by visiting CFPB’s online resources.

By Nicole Shea

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Homebuying
• • Mortgages

Info for consumers

Published DEC 18, 2017

5 financial New Year’s resolutions

As we kick off the New Year, here are five financial New Year’s resolutions to help you meet your goals.

By Kristin Dohn

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Financial well-being
• • Mortgages

Info for consumers

Published NOV 13, 2017

Has having more access to free credit scores made a difference? Let us know!

Over the last few years, companies have begun to offer free access to credit scores. Share your feedback with us so we can understand how this service is working.

By Maria Jaramillo

• • Credit reports and scores

Data, research, and reports

Published NOV 13, 2017

Add your company to the list of sources for free credit scores

If your company offers free credit scores and would like to be included on our list, respond to our recently posted Federal Register Notice.

By Maria Jaramillo

• • Credit reports and scores

Info for consumers

Published SEP 27, 2017

Las 10 mejores maneras de proteger su información personal contra el uso indebido

Las 10 mejores maneras de protegerse contra el robo de identidad y el fraude después de la filtración de información en Equifax y una actualización de la cláusula de arbitraje sobre la oferta gratuita de Equifax sobre monitoreo de crédito.

By Kristin Dohn

• • Arbitration
• • Credit reports and scores
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published SEP 18, 2017

Top 10 ways to protect yourself in the wake of the Equifax data breach

Top 10 ways to protect yourself from identity theft and fraud after the Equifax data breach and an update on the arbitration clause for Equifax’s offer of free credit monitoring.

By Kristin Dohn

• • Arbitration
• • Credit reports and scores
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published SEP 18, 2017

Servicemembers should secure their identity after the Equifax data breach

If you were one of the many servicemembers and their families affected by the recent Equifax data breach here is a CFPB Op Order on how to secure your identity.

By Patrick Campbell

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Identity theft and fraud
• • Servicemembers

Info for consumers

Published SEP 18, 2017

Equifax data breach updates

A collection of the latest releases, tips, updates, known scams, and information from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and other federal agencies working to support the millions of people affected by the Equifax data breach.

• • Arbitration
• • Credit reports and scores
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published SEP 13, 2017

Protección contra el robo de identidad tras el incidente en Equifax

Independientemente de si se ha visto afectado por la violación de datos en Equifax, o si su información personal ha sido robada, hay medidas que usted puede tomar para protegerse a sí mismo y a su crédito.

By Kristin Dohn

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published SEP 09, 2017

Identity theft protection following the Equifax data breach

Whether or not you have been affected by the Equifax data breach, or your personal information has been stolen, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your credit.

By Kristin Dohn

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published AUG 02, 2017

Denied for a bank account? Here’s what you should know

If you had problems with your checking account in the past you may be denied for a new account, but you do have rights. Read our key tips if this happens to you.

By Susan Stocks

• • Banking
• • Credit reports and scores
• • Enforcement

Data, research, and reports Info for consumers

Published JUL 06, 2017

Top five consumer financial complaints reported across the U.S.

Read about top financial issues reported by consumers to the CFPB and get information to help if you have a similar issue.

By Chris Johnson

• • Banking
• • Consumer complaints
• • Credit cards
• • Credit reports and scores
• • Debt collection
• • Mortgages

Data, research, and reports

Published APR 03, 2017

Understanding Consumer Experiences: Insights from CFPB’s 2016 Consumer Response Annual Report

We recently published our Consumer Response Annual Report, which provides an overview of the complaints we received in 2016.

By Chris Johnson

• • Auto loans
• • Banking
• • Checking account
• • Consumer complaints
• • Credit cards
• • Credit reports and scores
• • Data
• • Debt collection
• • Money transfers
• • Mortgages
• • Payday loans
• • Student loans