Experian Connect^SM

A credit score is a number based on the information in your credit report. It is similar to a grade you would have received in school, but instead of right and wrong answers, your credit score is based on positive and negative credit history. Paying your bills on time and using your credit responsibly builds a positive history while paying bills late and being irresponsible with your credit builds a negative history.

There are many different ways to calculate a credit score. Experian ConnectSM uses the VantageScore® calculation with your Experian credit report. VantageScore® was developed by the three national credit reporting companies — Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. Unlike other scoring systems, it is the most consistent score using only one model with one set of scoring calculations, resulting in scores that are more uniform and consistent.

A credit report is a snapshot of your experience with credit-related accounts. Aside from some basic personal information, like your name and address to help identify your report, there are three main types of information on your credit report:

• Public Records: Court-related information, including bankruptcies, state and county court records, tax liens, monetary judgments and, in some states, overdue child support payments.
• Credit Inquiries: Names of businesses or individuals that have obtained a copy of your credit report, including lenders, landlords, and employers.
• Accounts: Payment history on all your Real Estate, Installment, and Revolving Credit Accounts.

Our services are available to individuals that:

• Have a Social Security Number
• Are at least 18 years old
• Do not have a Security  Freeze or Fraud Alert on their credit

In order to interact with someone else through this service, you first must go through a three-step invitation process. This invitation process allows both parties to confirm they know and trust each other before authorizing others to view important information, such as a credit report. Successfully completing the invitation process creates a link between the two accounts, and each party is now a “Connection” to the other.

No. When you order or show your credit report and score to your Connections it does not affect your score because it is what we call a “soft inquiry.” Soft inquiries do not impact your credit score and do not appear on any credit reports viewed by other people.

Yes. In fact, if you are a small or independent business, it is important to know your personal credit information, too.