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Credit Report Versus Credit Score: What's the Difference?

• Your credit score is a three-digit rating that quantifies your credit risk. Among other uses, lenders reference this number to help assess your creditworthiness; a higher credit score indicates less risk.
• Your credit report details your credit history. Individuals who feel that their credit score is incorrect should look for inaccuracies in their credit report. You can correct erroneous information in a credit report that results from misinformation or identity theft by disputing your credit report.
• Qualifying for discounted or free credit reports: You may be eligible to receive a discounted or free credit report if you meet certain conditions. Check to see if you qualify. Credit scores are not included in the credit report, but you can request a credit score as an additional service.

Credit Check: Why Should I Care?

Why is it important to check your Experian credit report regularly? Many people frequently pay attention to their credit scores when they buy big-ticket items such as a new car or a home. While these are some of the most familiar reasons consumers monitor their credit reports, credit scores and reports actually are used for many other reasons as well. A good credit score can get you better rates on common necessities such as car insurance premiums, cell phone contracts and apartment rental agreements. Some employers even check prospective employees’ credit reports before making final hiring decisions. In addition, despite increased public awareness of identity theft, the crime continues to grow. Therefore, monitoring your credit report and score has never been more important. Take the first step to protect your family’s financial history by ordering your credit report today.

Credit Education

Experian® prides itself on being a leader in credit education. Ask Experian is the credit reporting industry's first online consumer credit advice column. Recent column topics include Credit score factor “proportion of balances too high,” with virtually no balances and Debts older than seven years should not return to your credit report.

Experian provides consumers and businesses with the information they need to make better financial decisions. As a top credit reporting agency, we are dedicated to helping people get their credit reports, find out their credit scores, prevent identity theft, manage their credit rating, become educated on basic consumer credit information and control the economic aspects of major life events. Experian also strives to help companies develop a credit history, manage credit risk, prevent fraud and grow their business with targeted mailing lists.

Since 1997, Experian has been answering consumers' credit questions in our Ask Experian feature - the credit reporting industry's first online consumer credit advice column.

Here are the most recent articles, from the [an error occurred while processing this directive] edition:

You may also like to visit our extensive Credit Education section, where you will find help on understanding credit reports and credit score basics, managing your credit and protecting your identity.