What are the three credit bureaus?

The three major credit bureaus are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. These are the agencies that collect information about your borrowing and payment history, compile it into credit reports, and provide the data that lenders use to calculate your credit score.

That credit report includes things like opening a new credit card, taking out a loan, and making payments. When the report gets shown to lenders, they’ll determine whether you qualify for a mortgage, what interest rate you’re offered on a car loan, and sometimes even whether a landlord approves your rental application.

Understanding how these bureaus work, why your scores may differ between them, and how to access and manage your reports gives you more control over your financial life.

What credit bureaus do

Credit bureaus are data companies and don’t make lending decisions themselves. Instead, they collect credit information from many sources, including banks, credit card companies, mortgage lenders, collection agencies, and public records. They compile that information into credit reports, which lenders and other businesses use to evaluate risk when you apply for credit.

The credit reports maintained by these bureaus are also the basis for your credit scores. Scoring models like FICO Score 8 (the most widely used) and VantageScore 3.0 analyze the data in your credit report and generate a three-digit score, typically ranging from 300 to 850, that represents your creditworthiness. The higher the number, the less risk you appear to companies.

These bureaus operate under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), a federal law that regulates how credit information is collected, shared, and disputed. The FCRA doesn’t just regulate how the bureaus process this information. It also gives customers the right to access your credit reports, dispute inaccurate information, and place freezes on your credit file.

Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion: a closer look

All three bureaus serve the same fundamental purpose, but operate independently and may hold slightly different information about you.

Experian is the largest of the three bureaus by revenue. In addition to standard credit reporting, Experian offers consumer tools including free credit monitoring and Experian Boost, which lets you add on-time utility, phone, insurance, and streaming payments to your Experian credit file to potentially improve your score.

Equifax is the second-largest bureau and is known for its workforce and employment verification services. Equifax experienced a significant data breach in 2017 that exposed the personal information of 147 million people, leading to a $700 million FTC settlement and major security investments.

TransUnion is the third major bureau and is known for its consumer-facing tools, including CreditCompass, which provides personalized recommendations for improving your credit score.

Why is my credit score different at each bureau?

It’s normal for your credit score to vary between Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. There are a few reasons scores differ.

Not all creditors report to all three bureaus. Lenders aren’t required to report to any bureau, and many choose to report to only one or two. If a credit card company reports your account to Experian and TransUnion but not Equifax, your Equifax report will be missing that data.

Data is reported at different times. Even when a creditor reports to all three, the information may arrive on different dates. Your credit card balance on the day Experian receives the data may differ from the balance reported to TransUnion a week later.

Different scoring models may be used. Your “credit score” isn’t a single number. FICO alone has dozens of scoring model versions, and VantageScore is a separate model entirely. The score you see on one service may be based on a different model than the score you see on another.

Minor differences of 10 to 30 points between bureaus are common and generally not a concern. If you see a large discrepancy of 50 points or more, it may indicate an error on one of your reports, and you should review them carefully.

How to check your credit reports for free

You’re entitled to free credit reports from all three bureaus every week through AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the only site authorized by federal law to provide them. The free weekly access, originally introduced during the pandemic, has been made permanent.

You can also monitor your credit through free services like Credit Karma (which uses TransUnion and Equifax data) or a free Experian account. These services typically show your VantageScore rather than your FICO Score and update regularly.

When reviewing your reports, here’s what to look out for:

• Accounts you don’t recognize (which could indicate identity theft)
• Balances that seem incorrect
• Payments marked late that you made on time
• Accounts that should have been closed or removed
   

For a deeper understanding of your scores, see our guide on what makes a good credit score.

How to dispute errors on your credit report

If you find inaccurate information on your credit report, you have the right to dispute it under the FCRA. The bureau must investigate and respond within 30 days. Here’s the process:

Online: Each bureau has an online dispute portal. This is the fastest method. You’ll need to identify the specific item you’re disputing and explain why it’s inaccurate. Upload any supporting documentation.

By mail: Send a written dispute letter to the bureau along with copies (not originals) of supporting documents. Send it by certified mail with a return receipt requested so you have proof it was received.

By phone: You can call each bureau to initiate a dispute, though online or written disputes create a clearer paper trail.

The FTC and the CFPB can provide detailed guides on the dispute process. If the bureau corrects the error, your score may change within one to two billing cycles. For step-by-step strategies, see our guide on how to raise your credit score.

How to freeze your credit

A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report and prevents new accounts from being opened in your name. It’s one of the strongest protections against identity theft. Freezing is free at all three bureaus, and you can unfreeze temporarily when you need to apply for credit.

A freeze doesn’t affect your existing accounts or your credit score. It simply blocks new creditors from pulling your report. You’ll need to freeze your credit separately at each bureau, since they operate independently. Here’s how:

• Experian: Visit experian.com/freeze or call 1-888-397-3742
• Equifax: Visit equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/ or call 1-800-685-1111
• TransUnion: Visit transunion.com/credit-freeze or call 1-800-916-8800
   

Each bureau will ask you to create an account or verify your identity, then let you place the freeze online in a few minutes. You’ll receive a PIN or password to lift the freeze later.

A fraud alert is a lighter alternative. It tells lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new accounts. Unlike a freeze, a fraud alert is active at all three bureaus when you place it at one. An initial fraud alert lasts one year.

If you’re just starting to build credit from scratch, placing a freeze isn’t usually necessary, but it’s good to know the option exists.

Learn how to raise your credit score fast.

Frequently asked questions

What are the three major credit bureaus?

The three major credit bureaus in the United States are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. They collect data from lenders, creditors, and public records to compile credit reports, which are used by banks, landlords, and other businesses to evaluate your creditworthiness. 

All three operate independently and are regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Why is my credit score different at each bureau?

Your credit score may differ between bureaus because not all creditors report to all three, data arrives at different times, and different scoring models may be applied. Minor variations of 10 to 30 points are normal. 

If you see a large discrepancy (50+ points), it may indicate an error on one of your reports. Pull your free reports from all three bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com and review them for inaccuracies.

How do I get a free copy of my credit report?

You can get free credit reports from all three bureaus every week through AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the only site authorized by federal law to provide free reports. You can also access free credit monitoring through services like Credit Karma or a free Experian account. 

When reviewing your reports, look for accounts you don’t recognize, incorrect balances, and payments marked late that you made on time.

How do I dispute an error on my credit report?

You can file a dispute online through each bureau’s dispute portal, by mail, or by phone. Identify the specific item that’s inaccurate, explain why, and provide supporting documentation. Under the FCRA, the bureau must investigate and respond within 30 days. 

If the error is corrected, your score may improve within one to two billing cycles. The FTC and CFPB provide detailed guides on the dispute process.

What is a credit freeze and how do I place one?

A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, blocking new accounts from being opened in your name. It’s free to place and lift at all three bureaus, and it doesn’t affect your existing accounts or your credit score. 

You need to freeze your credit separately at each bureau since they operate independently. You can temporarily lift a freeze when you need to apply for credit. A fraud alert is a lighter alternative that lasts one year and only needs to be placed at one bureau to apply to all three.

What is the phone number for each credit bureau?

Experian: 1-888-397-3742. Equifax: 1-800-685-1111. TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800. You can reach each bureau by phone to check your report status, place a credit freeze, or file a dispute. 

Each bureau also offers online portals for managing your credit file at experian.com, equifax.com, and transunion.com.