Glossary
Credit reporting company
A firm which receives, maintains, and provides information about a consumer’s credit history. There are three national credit reporting companies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. There are also many smaller agencies. National credit reporting companies adhere to the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Credit score
Your credit score is a three-digit number generated by a mathematical formula using information in your credit file to indicate the likelihood of whether you will become 90 days or more past due on your accounts at some point in the two years following the score being calculated. There are many credit scores available in the marketplace, including the VantageScore credit score, used by numerous auto lenders, mortgage lenders and credit card issuers.
Public record judgment/tax lien
Public records include information filed or recorded by local, state, federal or other government agencies that is available to the general public. The types of public records that can affect your credit score include judgments against you from collections agencies or in small claims court, or tax liens levied by a government authority.