Can I opt out of having creditors report my accounts to credit reporting companies?

Anyone who lends you money or gives you credit can report your payment history to credit reporting companies. Specialty consumer reporting companies may also report other types of information including utility or medical bills, and rent payments. They may also collect information for other purposes such as background screening. Creditors voluntarily report to the consumer reporting agencies, however, you can dispute anything reported that you think is an error.

Types of information that may appear in credit reports about you include:

• When you apply for an account
• When an account is opened
• The amount loaned or the credit limit
• Account balances
• Status of your payments/payment history
• Whether your account is in collection

Credit reporting companies also purchase public records like bankruptcy filings from public records providers.

Learn more about how positive and negative payment histories appear on your credit report