Credit reporting agency is a term for the data company that holds a copy of your credit report. A free credit report, but not credit score, is available from Equifax, Experian and Transunion through the online annual report program. You may also make an online dispute on your 3 bureau report through this same program.
The terms credit reporting agency and credit bureau are interchangeable to most in the credit reporting world. When pulling a report, we always recommend a 3 bureau report, so the consumer will have all the information available when filing a dispute.
Pulling only a one bureau report from either Transunion, Experian or Equifax will only give the consumer a partial picture of what factors into their credit report. Pulling a 3 bureau report is essential, along with getting your credit score from each credit reporting agency, which you can do through an online annual report.
Due to the FACTA credit report laws passed in 2003, everyone is entitled to a free credit report once a year through the online annual report program. As a joint venture through the Federal Trade Commission and Experian, Transunion and Equifax, the consumer can go to annualcreditreport.com to get their free credit report. However, the consumer must pay extra to get their credit score. This same service allows a way for the consumer to file an online dispute.
There are other ways to get a free credit report, for instance if you are turned down for credit or expect to be applying for a job.
You can get your credit report from any of the Credit reporting agency companies Equifax, Experian and Transunion. You can get your free credit report through the online annual report program, as well as make a dispute. You will have to pay for your credit score or your 3 bureau report (also known as a tri-merge report).
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