What is a credit bureau?
The Bankrate.com financial term of the day is: "Credit Bureau."
A credit bureau is a company that keeps a record of whether you're a good borrower or a bad borrower. There are three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. They issue report cards -- credit reports -- that show how well you manage your debt and make payments, how much untapped credit is available to you, and whether you've applied for any loans. The information might be used by someone trying to decide whether to do business with you, such as an insurance company or a landlord with an apartment you'd like to rent. You should monitor your credit reports because any negative information that shouldn't be in there could indicate an identity thief is trashing your good name.
When it comes to handling debt, are you a master or a mess? A credit bureau will have an answer.
For more information on credit reporting, visit the debt management section at Bankrate.com.
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A little research could save you BIG on interest.