Credit reports and scores basics

How long does it take to get my free credit report after I order it?

Does requesting my credit report hurt my credit score?

Does it hurt my credit to close a credit card?

Is it possible to remove accurate, negative information from my credit report?

What is a credit reporting company?

Do I have to pay for my credit score?

Do joint credit card accounts with my spouse affect my credit score?

If my spouse has a bad credit score, does it affect my credit score?

Will paying off my credit card balance every month improve my credit score?

Who can request to see my credit report?

What if I disagree with the results of my credit report dispute?

I don't recognize the name of a creditor listed on my credit report. Should I dispute this listing?

How can I find out who has accessed my credit report?

If a credit reporting error is corrected, how long will it take before I find out the results?

What does it mean to put a security freeze on my credit report?

Why are some of my debts not showing up on my credit report?

If I dispute a debt, how does that show up on my credit report?

What are specialty consumer reporting agencies and what kind of information do they collect?

Does my history of paying utility bills, like telephone, cable, electricity, or water, go in my credit report?

Will it hurt my credit if my bank or credit union closed my checking account?

Do auto and homeowners insurance companies share my information about claims?

How can I find out what’s in my medical payment history?

Why do I need a credit history?

What are some ways to start or rebuild a good credit history?

When can a credit card company look at my credit reports?