The Three Credit Bureaus
There are three major credit bureaus in the United States: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Each maintains its own file on you, which is why checking all three is essential.
Overview
The three major credit bureaus (also called Credit Reporting Agencies or CRAs) are independent companies that collect and maintain credit information on consumers. They gather data from creditors, public records, and other sources to create credit reports.
Because they operate independently, your credit report (and score) may differ between bureaus. A creditor might report to one bureau but not another, or the information might be updated at different times.
The Three Major Bureaus
Experian
Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland (U.S. operations in Costa Mesa, CA). One of the largest global information services companies.
- Uses FICO Score 8 for most products
- Known for "Experian Boost" utility reporting
Equifax
Based in Atlanta, GA. One of the oldest credit bureaus, founded in 1899.
- Strong in employment/income verification (The Work Number)
- Often used for mortgage lending
TransUnion
Headquartered in Chicago, IL. Known for a technology-forward approach.
- Pioneered "trended data" analysis
- Strong in fraud prevention services
Why Are My Reports Different?
It's common to see differences between your three credit reports. Here's why:
Different Creditors
Not all creditors report to all three bureaus. Smaller banks might only use one.
Timing Differences
Bureaus may receive updates on different days of the month.
Data Variations
Name spellings and addresses may be recorded differently, leading to unmatched records.
Disputing with Each Bureau
When you find an error, you need to dispute it with each bureau reporting that information. An error might appear on all three bureaus or just one.
Sable generates customized letters for each bureau automatically based on your imported data.
