3 Bureau Credit Reports and Scores - Experian (2024)

FAQs

What are the 3 credit bureaus that report credit scores and reports? ›

By law, you can get a free credit report each year from the three credit reporting agencies (CRAs). These agencies include Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

To request all three credit bureau reports for free, visit annualcreditreport.com. Click the “Request your free credit reports” button and follow the three steps to get your credit reports. You'll need to fill out a form and choose the credit reports you want to receive.

How to Get Free Credit Reports From All 3 Credit Bureaus. Register with Experian to access your Experian credit report anytime for free. You can also get free weekly Equifax and TransUnion credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com.

The main difference is Experian grades it between 0 – 1000, while Equifax grades the score between 0 – 1200. This means that there is not only a clear 200 point difference between these two bureaus but the “perfect scores” are also different, which is 1000 as reported by Experian and 1200 as reported by Equifax.

Which of the 3 Credit Bureaus Is the Best? Of the three main credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), none is considered better than the others. A lender may rely on a report from one bureau or all three bureaus to make its decisions about approving a loan.

Neither your TransUnion or Equifax score is more or less accurate than the other. They're just calculated from slightly differing sources. Your Equifax credit score is likely lower due to reporting differences. Nonetheless, a “fair” score from TransUnion is typically “fair” across the board.

Once you've received your annual free credit report, you can still request additional reports. By law, a credit reporting company can charge no more than $14.50 for a credit report. You may be able to view free credit reports more frequently online.

All three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — are more alike than they are different, and any variations in their data are usually minor. Equifax is the largest credit bureau in the U.S., but TransUnion and Equifax are thought to be just as accurate and important.

There isn't one “more accurate” report. The most accurate report in any individual case is the one that has the most complete information. Creditors don't have to report to any of the credit bureaus, and they certainly aren't required to report to all of them. Some lenders only report to one or two of the bureaus.

Can I lock all three credit reports with Experian? ›

You can freeze and unfreeze your credit reports at Experian, TransUnion and Equifax online, by phone or by mail. The online option is the fastest and easiest.

Credit score and mortgages

The minimum credit score needed for most mortgages is typically around 620. However, government-backed mortgages like Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans typically have lower credit requirements than conventional fixed-rate loans and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs).

Although there isn't a bank that exclusively uses Experian, some banks that typically use Experian data more commonly include American Express, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo.

There is no single credit score that's considered the most accurate. The truth is, there are several types of credit scores available to lenders—and many versions of each of those scores. Scores are calculated based on many of the same factors. But thinking of these scores in terms of accuracy can still be misleading.

Which of the three credit bureaus is most important? None of the credit bureaus should be considered the “most important.” Reviewing reports from all three bureaus can help you better understand what information might be used to calculate your credit scores.

FICO® credit scores are the auto industry standard for determining a potential buyer's creditworthiness.