How many credit reporting agencies are there? If you said 'three,' you're way off!

If we asked most Americans how many credit bureaus there were, their answer would almost always be, “three.”  A good number of people could probably even name them as Experian, Equifax, and Transunion, and feel proud of their knowledge of the credit industry.  But very few people realize that there are actually a multitude of credit bureaus reporting your every mortgage, credit card, and occasional late payment, more than 35+ lesser-known ones at last count. 

Why are there so many?  Some of them replicate the scoring models and functionality of the big three, while others serve specific esoteric niches in the financial market.  It’s estimated that up to 50 million Americans have little or no data reporting with the major credit bureaus, so alternate reporting services help credit-light borrowers to qualify for basic loans or services, like utilities, cell phones, and rental housing.  Business loans, employment hiring decisions, and insurance coverage are all affected by what’s on your credit report, but better served by alternate reporting agencies.

For instance, payment information from your medical records is a totally separate form of credit, and businesses have their own commercial credit score.  Bank accounts, bankruptcies, liens, rent-to-own companies, pay-day lenders, subprime auto loans, check fraud, courthouse information, day care payments, and billing from club memberships are even documented by alternative credit reporting agencies. 

For most people, three reporting agencies keeping tabs on their every financial move is more than enough, but if you have an issue with something more than just mortgages, credit cards, and installment loans, you might want to check into what these alternate reporting agencies are saying about you.  Just like with traditional credit score, there’s usually a process for disputing incorrect items or engaging in certain responsible financial behaviors to raise your score. 

Here’s a rundown of some of the alternative credit reporting agencies.  They are under headings but any of these agencies offer reporting on several and overlapping types of reporting, so contact us if you need clarification or need help. 

Banking and Check History CRAs: 


ChexSystems

Certegy Check Services

Telecheck 


Payday Lending Reporting Agencies: 


Factor Trust 


Clarity Services 


CL Verify Microbilt

CoreLogicTeletrack

DataX 


Auto and Property Insurance Reporting Agencies: 


Insurance Services Office (ISO) (A Plus Property Reports)

Insurance Information Exchange

L.N. (Clue Personal Property Report)

L.N. (Clue Auto Report) 


Supplementary/Alternative Credit Reporting Agencies:  CoreScore Credit Report

L2C

Pay Rent Build Credit (PRBC)/Microbilt

ID Analytics

Innovis

Lexis Nexis Screening Solutions. Inc. 


Fico Expansion Score

Utility Credit Reporting Agencies: 


National Consumer Telecom and Utilities Exchange 


Rental Reporting Agencies:

Core Logic SafeRent 


LexisNexis Screening Solutions Inc. Resident History Report

Leasing Desk (Real Page)

Tenant Data Services and Medical Reporting Agencies: 


Medical Information Bureau

MillimanIntelliScript 


Employment Reporting Agencies: 


Accurate Background

Contemporary Information Corp. 


Early Warning Services 


EmployeeScreenIQ 


First Advantage

GIS

HireRight

Infocubic

Intellicorp

Pre-Employ.com

Trak 1 Technology

Verifications Inc.

The Work Number