If you’ve ever been granted credit in the US, you probably have a credit history on file with the three nationwide consumer credit reporting agencies. Home mortgage, student loan, auto loan, credit card, lease, installment purchase: All these activities -- and how well you’ve made payments -- are reported to Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union. This information is then sold - as a credit report - to companies making decisions about granting you credit, and to others with a permissible purpose, such as collections, employment, tenant screening, or insurance underwriting.