Indicates the present state of the account, but does not indicate the payment history of the account that led to the current state. (i.e. open, paid, charge off, repossession, settled, foreclosed, etc).
The unique number assigned by a creditor to identify your account with them. Experian removes several digits of each account number on the credit report as a fraud prevention measure.
Credit items that have a positive status and should reflect favorably on your creditworthiness.
Percentage of the debt that is to be repaid to the credit grantors in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
A complex mathematical model. In credit scoring, it is used to compare data in millions of credit reports and predict a person.s likelihood to repay debts.
A measure of how much interest credit will cost you, expressed as an annual percentage.
A person applying for credit privileges, employment or some other benefit.
Any thing you own that has value or use.
The person authorized by the contractually responsible party to use the account.
Person permitted by a credit cardholder to charge goods and services on the cardholder.s account but who is not responsible for repayment of the debt. The account displays on the credit reports of the cardholder as well as the authorized user. If you wish to have your name permanently removed as an authorized user on an account, you will need to notify the credit grantor.
Factor in determining creditworthiness. Capacity is assessed by weighing a borrower.s earning ability and the likelihood of continuing income against the amount of debt the borrower carries at the time the application for credit is made. While capacity may be considered in a credit decision, the credit report does not contain information about earning ability or the likelihood of continuing income.
Chapter of the Bankruptcy Code that is usually used for the reorganization of a financially troubled business. Used as an alternative to liquidation under Chapter 7. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that an individual may also use Chapter 11.
Chapter of the Bankruptcy Code adopted to address the financial crisis of the nation.s farming community. Cases under this chapter are administered like Chapter 11 cases, but with special protections to meet the special conditions of family farm operations.
Chapter of the Bankruptcy Code in which debtors repay debts according to a plan accepted by the debtor, the creditors and the court. Plan payments usually come from the debtor.s future income and are paid to creditors through the court system and the bankruptcy trustee.
Chapter of the Bankruptcy Code that provides for court administered liquidation of the assets of a financially troubled individual or business.
A card which requires payment in full upon receipt of the statement.
Action of transferring accounts deemed uncollectible to a category such as bad debt or loss. Collectors will usually continue to solicit payments, but the accounts are no longer considered part of a company.s receivable or profit picture.
Any court action against a consumer to regain money for someone else. Usually, it will be a wage assignment, child support judgment, small claims judgment or a civil judgment.
The amount awarded in a court action.
The date an account was closed.
Person who pledges in writing as part of a credit contract to repay the debt if the borrower fails to do so. The account displays on both the borrower.s and the co-signer.s credit reports.
A creditworthy co-maker is sometimes required in situations where an applicant.s qualifications are marginal. A co-maker is legally responsible to repay the charges in the joint account agreement.
Property acceptable as security for a loan or other obligation.
A creditor.s attempt to recover a past-due payment by turning the account over to a collection department or company. Having a debt in collection is a serious negative item on a credit report.
Refers to the status of an account owed to a creditor when it has been transferred from a routine debt to a Collection Department of the creditor.s firm or to a separate professional debt collecting firm.
A loan usually obtained for the purpose of reducing the amount of the payments of bills owing by consolidating the bills into one loan payment. The consumer pays off several bills with the proceeds from one loan and is left with one consolidated monthly payment.
Person who uses and/or buys goods and services for family or personal use.
Organizations which help consumers find a way to repay debts through careful budgeting and management of funds. These are usually nonprofit organizations, funded by creditors. By requesting that creditors accept a longer pay-off period, the counseling services can often work out a successful repayment plan. Consumer Credit Counseling Service has offices throughout the United States that can be located by calling 800 388 CCCS (2227)
A trust or a promise to pay later for goods or services purchased today.
A credit-reporting agency that is a clearinghouse for information on the credit rating of individuals or firms. Often called a credit repository or a consumer reporting agency.
A rectangular piece of plastic used instead of cash or checks authorizing payment for goods and services.
Person or business furnishing consumer goods and/or services on credit.
A record of a person.s use of credit over time.
Information reported by current or past creditors.
The maximum amount of money you can charge on a particular credit account.
In open-end credit, the maximum amount a borrower can draw upon or the maximum that an account can show as outstanding.
Individuals or Companies that promise to "clean-up" or "erase" your bad credit and give you a fresh start. Also know as Credit Clinics.
The measure of a person.s creditworthiness. People who are more likely to repay their debts on time are considered a better risk by lenders, and will be charged lower interest rates for borrowing money.
Tool used by credit grantors to provide an objective means of determining risks in granting credit. Credit scoring increases efficiency and timely response in the credit granting process. Credit scoring criteria is set by the credit grantor.
The ability of a consumer to receive favorable consideration and approval for the use of credit from an establishment to which they applied.
The date that a public record was awarded.
On the credit report, date the creditor last reported information about the account.
On the credit report, indicates the date an account was opened.
The completion date or satisfaction date of a public record item.
The amount of money a person has in outstanding debt, compared to the amount of credit available on all of the individual.s credit cards and credit lines. The higher a person.s debt to available credit, the more risky the individual appears to potential lenders.
A designation on a credit report that indicates a person has not paid a debt that was owed. Accounts usually are listed as being in default after several reports of delinquency. Defaults are a serious negative item on a credit report.
Accounts classified into categories according to the time past due. Common classifications are 30, 60, 90 and 120 days past due. Special classifications also include charge-off, repossession, transferred, etc.
Granted by the court to release a debtor from most of his debts that were included in a bankruptcy. Any debts not included in the bankruptcy . alimony, child support, liability for willful and malicious conduct and certain student loans . cannot be discharged.
Providing the consumer with his or her credit history as required by the FCRA. Experian provides consumer credit report disclosures via the Internet, by U.S. Mail or in person at our office location in Santa Ana, CA.
When a consumer files a bankruptcy, the judge may decide to not allow the consumer to continue with the bankruptcy. If the judge rules against the petition, the bankruptcy is known as dismissed.
If a consumer believes an item of information on their credit report is inaccurate or incomplete, they may challenge, or dispute the item. Credit bureaus are mandated to investigate, correct and/or remove any inaccurate information or information that cannot be verified.
Reflects the previous history of the account, including any delinquencies or derogatory conditions occurring during the previous seven years (i.e., Current account, delinquent 30, current was 60, redeemed repossession, charge-off . now paying, etc.)
There are legally defined permissible purposes for a credit report to be issued to a third party. Permissible purposes include credit transactions, employment purposes, insurance underwriting, government financial responsibility laws, court orders, subpoenas, written instructions of the consumer, legitimate business needs, etc.
Information on your personal credit report associated with your records that has been reported to us by you, your creditors and other sources. It may include name variations, your driver.s license number, Social Security number variations, your date or year of birth, your spouse.s name, your employers, your telephone numbers, and information about your residence.
You may request that a general explanation about the information on your report be added to your report. The statement remains for two years and displays to anyone who reviews your credit information.
If a consumer files a bankruptcy, but a judge has not yet ruled that it can proceed, it is known as bankruptcy petitioned.
One who initially brings legal action against another (defendant) seeking a court decision.
Any potentially negative credit items or public records that may have an effect on your creditworthiness as viewed by creditors.
Included as part of the credit report, this information is limited to tax liens, lawsuits and judgments that relate to the consumer.s debt obligations.
The most recent balance owed on an account as reported by the creditor.
The most recent amount paid on an account as reported by the creditor.
This means that a lien has been satisfied in full.
On the credit report, the date the creditor started reporting the account to the credit agency.
A creditor.s taking possession of property pledged as collateral on a loan contract on which a borrower has fallen significantly behind in payments.
When a credit grantor, direct marketer or potential employer makes a request for information from a consumer.s credit report, an inquiry is shown on the report. Grantors only see credit inquiries generated by other grantors as a result of an application of some kind, while consumers see all listed inquiries including prescreened and direct marketing offers, as well as employment inquiries. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, credit grantors with a permissible purpose may inquire about your credit information prior to your consent. This section also includes the date of the inquiry and how long the inquiry will remain on your report.
Indicates who is responsible for an account; can be single, joint, co-signer, etc.
Credit automatically available up to a predetermined maximum limit so long as a customer makes regular payments.
A numerical determination of a consumer.s creditworthiness. Tool used by credit grantors to predict future payment behavior of a consumer.
If the consumer has paid all of the money the court says he owes, the public record item is satisfied.
Loan for which some form of acceptable collateral, such as a house or automobile has been pledged.
Real or personal property that a borrower pledges for the term of a loan. Should the borrower fail to repay, the creditor may take ownership of the property by following legally mandated procedures.
Statement that is added once a credit agency is notified that a consumer may be a victim of fraud. It remains on file for 90 days and requests that a creditor request proof of identification before granting credit in that person.s name.
Agreements with service providers. You receive goods, such as electricity, and services, such as apartment rental and health club memberships, with the agreement that you will pay for them each month. Your contract may require payments for a specific number of months, even if you stop the service.
Reach an agreement with a lender to repay only part of the original debt
The business or organization that supplied certain information that appears on the credit report.
On the credit report, this indicates the current status or state of the account.
This refers to the debt repayment terms of your agreement with a creditor, such as 60 months, 48 months, etc.
Collectors who are under contract to collect debts for a credit department or credit company; collection agency.
An account listed on a credit report. Each separate account is a different trade line. A tradeline describes the consumer.s account status and activity. Tradeline information includes names of companies where the applicant has accounts, dates accounts were opened, credit limits, types of accounts, balances owed and payment histories.
Fees charged for certain use of your credit line . for example, to get a cash advance from an ATM.
One of three national credit reporting agencies. The other two are Experian and Equifax.
Title I of the Consumer Protection Act. Requires that most categories of lenders disclose the annual interest rate, the total dollar cost and other terms of loans and credit sales.
This refers to the type of credit agreement made with a creditor; for example, a revolving account or installment loan.
