Understand your accounts
Learn what you are seeing and choose one situation.
Separate the account types.
Start by identifying on-time accounts and negative reporting such as late payments, charge offs or collections. Those situations are different, so the guidance and template should match what is actually on your report.
Read the details, not just the label.
Look at whether the account is open or closed, its balance, payment history and dates. An account listed as positive can still affect your score when a credit card balance is high compared with its limit.
Choose one account to understand.
Write down what you believe is incorrect, incomplete or unfamiliar. Keep the report page and records that support your concern. A nickname helps organize the account without entering an account number into your dashboard.
Open the member report-reading lesson →Where report evaluation fits
The report review tool can assist your first look. Review its explanation against the original report yourself before deciding what to question.
Open report review →Reading a chapter does not record a mailing, change your account progress or unlock paid tools. Take each action when you are ready.