If you will look at your credit report, you will notice that it is most likely going to be divided into four sections. By taking each section individually, you can determine what your credit report says:

* Identifying information: This may be the easiest section to read, because it is information about you. Don’t skip this section, however; make sure that everything is correct. You may see minor variations—for instance, a different spelling of your name; because that is the way the company with whom you have or had credit reported it. Don’t worry; these usually don’t make any difference.

* Credit history: This section shows with whom you have credit. It contains the company or entity with which you have credit, and gives any applicable account numbers. It also shows the type of credit (installment loan, revolving credit, mortgage, etc.), the date the account was opened, any other names on the account, and other pertinent information. It also provides payment information, such as monthly payment amount, and the outstanding balance.

* Public records: This section should be blank. If it isn’t, it means you have had a bankruptcy, judgment, tax line, or another negative credit problem.

* Inquiries: This section tells you everyone that requested your credit report.