Credit reports and scores basics

My credit card statement now has a credit score. What does this mean?

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

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

My bank or credit union closed my checking account. Will this hurt my credit?

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

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

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

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

How do I find a credit counselor?

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

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

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

What happens when I tell a company it sent inaccurate information to a credit reporting company?

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

What if my dispute is ignored or I disagree with the results of a credit report dispute?

What does the credit reporting company do after I notify it of an error on my credit report?

Are there any kinds of disputes that creditors or other institutions would not have to investigate if I were to file a dispute directly with them?

Who may request my credit report?

What should my dispute letter to a credit reporting company look like?

Are credit scores used in employment screening?

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

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

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

I tried to check my credit report online, but the site wanted to charge me a fee or get me to sign up for other services. Aren't credit reports free?

If I have a bad credit score, will it affect my fiancé's score if we get married?