Template:Credit reporting companies

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Consumer reporting companies (also known as credit reporting agencies, or credit bureaus) collect information and provide reports to other companies about you. These companies use these reports to inform decisions about providing you with credit, employment, residential rental housing, insurance, and in other decision making situations.

Consumer reporting companies must follow legal restrictions but generally can provide consumer credit reports and scores to an array of businesses, including:
 * Lenders (including those that offer credit cards, home, payday, auto (including auto leasing) and student loans)
 * Employers and others such as government agencies (employment and background screening)
 * Landlords and residential real estate management companies (tenant screening)
 * Banks, credit unions, payment processors and retail stores that accept personal checks (check screening)
 * Companies that market and sell products and services to low-income consumers and subprime credit applicants, such as short-term lending and rent-to-own businesses among others
 * Debt buyers and collectors (e.g., medical debt collectors)
 * Insurance companies (health, life, property insurance screening)
 * Communications and utility companies (e.g., mobile phone; pay TV, electric, gas, water for utility bill repayment screening)
 * Retail stores for product return fraud and abuse screening; as well as retail stores that offer financing such as appliance and rent-to-own businesses, among others
 * Gaming casinos that extend credit to consumers

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) publishes a comprehensive list which includes the three largest nationwide consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, Transunion) and several specialty reporting companies that focus on certain market areas and consumer segments. The list is available here: List of consumer reporting companies (2016)

The CFPB list indicates which companies will supply free credit reports. Also note the disclaimer (page 5 footnote) which states this information is self-reported and has not been independently verified.

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