A consumer credit report contains four types of information: identifying information, credit information, public record information, and inquiries.

Identifying information includes:

• Your name
• Your current and previous addresses
• Your Social Security number
• Your year of birth
• Your current and previous employers
• If you're married, your spouse's name

Credit information includes credit accounts or loans you have with:

• Banks
• Retailers
• Credit card issuers
• Other lenders

Public record information includes any information that's contained in state and county court records, like:

• Bankruptcies
• Tax liens
• Monetary judgments

Inquiries indicate to other credit providers that you have applied for new credit that could result in additional debt. Potential lenders view multiple recent inquiries on your credit report as a sign that you are over extending yourself.