A compilation of information about a consumer about their use of consumer credit to be used typically by those considering the extension of credit to the consumer, or a few other approved uses (i.e. employment and collection purposes). Reports are maintained by credit reporting agencies, the best known being
Equifax,
Experian,
TransUnion, and the "checking account" credit reporting agency,
Chex Systems.
A free copy of your credit report must be provided on demand to a consumer once per year, for example through the
Annual Credit Report website.