Help Center - Credit & Financial Terms Glossary
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Account Number
The unique number assigned by a creditor to identify your account with them.
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Accounts in Good Standing
Credit items that have a positive status and should reflect favorably on your creditworthiness.
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Annual Fee
Credit card issuers often (but not always) require you to pay a special charge once a year for the use of their service, usually between $15 and $55.
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Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
A measure of how much interest credit will cost you, expressed as an annual percentage.
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Authorized User
Person permitted by a credit cardholder to charge goods and services on the cardholder's account but who is not responsible for repayment of the debt. The account displays on the credit reports of the cardholder as well as the authorized user. If you wish to have your name permanently removed as an authorized user on an account, you will need to notify the credit grantor.
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Balloon Payments
A loan with a balloon payment requires that a single, lump-sum payment be made at the end of the loan.
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Bankruptcy Code
Federal laws governing the conditions and procedures under which persons claiming inability to repay their debts can seek relief.
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Capacity
Factor in determining creditworthiness. Capacity is assessed by weighing a borrower's earning ability and the likelihood of continuing income against the amount of debt the borrower carries at the time the application for credit is made. While capacity may be considered in a credit decision, the credit report does not contain information about earning ability or the likelihood of continuing income.
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Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Chapter of the Bankruptcy Code that provides for court administered liquidation of the assets of a financially troubled individual or business.
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Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Chapter of the Bankruptcy Code that is usually used for the reorganization of a financially troubled business. Used as an alternative to liquidation under Chapter 7. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that an individual may also use Chapter 11.
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Chapter 12 Bankruptcy
Chapter of the Bankruptcy Code adopted to address the financial crisis of the nation's farming community. Cases under this chapter are administered like Chapter 11 cases, but with special protections to meet the special conditions of family farm operations.
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Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Chapter of the Bankruptcy Code in which debtors repay debts according to a plan accepted by the debtor, the creditors and the court. Plan payments usually come from the debtor's future income and are paid to creditors through the court system and the bankruptcy trustee.
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Charge-Off
Action of transferring accounts to a category deemed uncollectible, such as a bad debt or loss. Collectors will usually continue to solicit payments, but the accounts are no longer considered part of a company's receivable or profit picture.
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Civil Action
Any court action against a consumer to regain money for someone else. Usually, it will be a wage assignment, child support judgment, small claims judgment or a civil judgment.
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Claim Amount
The amount awarded in a court action.
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Closed Date
The date an account was closed.
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Co-Maker
A creditworthy co-maker is sometimes required in situations where an applicant's qualifications are marginal. A co-maker is legally responsible to repay the charges in the joint account agreement.
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Consumer Credit Counseling Service
A non-profit organization that assists consumers in dealing with their credit problems. Consumer Credit Counseling Service has offices throughout the United States that can be located by calling 800 388 CCCS (2227).
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Co-Signer
Person who pledges in writing as part of a credit contract to repay the debt if the borrower fails to do so. The account displays on both the borrower's and the co-signer's credit reports.
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Credit Limit/Line of Credit
In open-end credit, the maximum amount a borrower can draw upon or the maximum that an account can show as outstanding.
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Credit Items
Information reported by current or past creditors.
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Credit Report
Confidential report on a consumer's payment habits as reported by their creditors to a consumer credit reporting agency. The agency provides the information to credit grantors who have a permissible purpose under the law to review the report.
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Credit Scoring
Tool used by credit grantors to provide an objective means of determining risks in granting credit. Credit scoring increases efficiency and a timely response in the credit granting process. Credit scoring criteria is set by the credit grantor.
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Creditworthiness
The ability of a consumer to receive favorable consideration and approval for the use of credit from an establishment to which they applied.
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Date Filed
The date that a public record was awarded.
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Date of Status
On the credit report, date the creditor last reported information about the account.
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Date Opened
On the credit report, indicates the date an account was opened.
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Date Resolved
The completion date or satisfaction date of a public record item.
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Delinquent
Accounts classified into categories according to the time past due. Common classifications are 30, 60, 90 and 120 days past due. Special classifications also include charge-off, repossession, transferred, etc.
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Discharge
Granted by the court to release a debtor from most of his debts that were included in a bankruptcy. Any debts not included in the bankruptcy – alimony, child support, liability for willful and malicious conduct and certain student loans – cannot be discharged.
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Disclosure
Providing the consumer with his or her credit history as required by the FCRA.
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Dismissed
When a consumer files a bankruptcy, the judge may decide to not allow the consumer to continue with the bankruptcy. If the judge rules against the petition, the bankruptcy is known as dismissed.
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Dispute
If a consumer believes an item of information on their credit report is inaccurate or incomplete, they may challenge, or dispute the item.
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ECOA
Standard abbreviation for Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
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End-User
The business that receives the report for decision making purposes that meet the permissible purpose requirements of the FCRA.
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Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA)
Federal law, which prohibits creditors from discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of sex, marital status, race, color, religion, age, and/or receipt of public assistance.
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Equifax
One of the three national credit reporting agencies, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. The other two are Experian and TransUnion.
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Experian
One of the three national credit reporting agencies, with U.S. headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA. The other two are Equifax and TransUnion.
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Fair Credit and Charge Card Disclosure Act
Amendments to the Truth In Lending Act that require the disclosure of the costs involved in credit card plans that are offered by mail, telephone or applications distributed to the general public.
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Fair Credit Billing Act
Federal legislation that provides a specific error resolution procedure to protect credit card customers from making payments on inaccurate billings.
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Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Federal legislation governing the actions of credit reporting agencies.
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Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
Federal legislation prohibiting abusive and unfair debt collection practices.
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Finance Charge
Amount of interest. Finance charges are usually included in the monthly payment total.
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Fixed Rate
An annual percentage rate that does not change.
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Generation Identifier
Generation identifiers are Jr., Sr., II, III, IV, etc.
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Geographical Code
This information is received from the Census Bureau and represents the state, Metropolitan Statistical Area, county, tract and block group of the reported address. This code is similar to a ZIP code.
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Grace Period
The time period you have to pay a bill in full and avoid interest charges.
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Guarantor
Person responsible for paying a bill.
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High Balance
The highest amount that you have owed on an account to date.
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Installment Credit
Credit accounts in which the debt is divided into amounts to be paid successively at specified intervals.
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Investigation
The process a consumer credit reporting agency goes through in order to verify credit report information disputed by a consumer. The credit grantor who supplied the information is contacted and asked to review the information and report back; they will tell the credit reporting agency that the information is accurate as it appears, or they will update the report.
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Investigative Consumer Reports
These are consumer reports that are usually done for background checks, security clearances and other sensitive jobs. An investigative consumer report might contain information obtained from a credit report, but it is more comprehensive than a credit report. It contains subjective material on an individual's character, habits and mode of living, which is obtained through interviews of associates.
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Involuntary Bankruptcy
A petition filed by certain credit grantors to have a debtor judged bankrupt. If the bankruptcy is granted, it is known as an involuntary bankruptcy.
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Item-Specific Statement
Offers an explanation about a particular trade or public record item on your report, and it displays with that item on the credit report.
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Judgment Granted
The determination of a court upon matters submitted to it. A final determination of the rights of the parties involved in the lawsuit.
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Last Reported
On the credit report, the date the creditor last reported information about the account.
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Liability Amount
Amount for which you are legally obligated to a creditor.
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Lien
Legal document used to create a security interest in another's property. A lien is often given as a security for the payment of a debt. A lien can be placed against a consumer for failure to pay the city, county, state or federal government money that is owed. It means that the consumer's property is being used as collateral during repayment of the money that is owed.
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Line of Credit
In open-end credit, the maximum amount a borrower can draw upon or the maximum that an account can show as outstanding.
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Location Number
The book and page number on which the item is filed in the court records.
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Mortgage Identification Number (MIN)
Indicates that a loan is registered with Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc., which tracks the ownership of mortgage rights. This number will follow the homeowner throughout the mortgage.
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Most Recent Date
The date of the recent account condition or payment status. This date is also the balance date.
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Notice of Results
If your investigation results in information being updated or deleted, you may request that we send the corrected information in your credit history to eligible credit grantors and employers who reviewed your information within a specific period of time. If your investigation does not result in a change to your credit history, results will not be sent to other lenders.
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Obsolescence
A term used to describe how long negative information should stay in a credit file before it's not relevant to the credit granting decision. The FCRA has determined the obsolescence period to be 10 years in the case of bankruptcy and 7 years in all other instances. Unpaid tax liens may remain indefinitely.
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Opt In
The ability of a consumer who has opted out to have their name re-added to prescreened credit and insurance offer lists, direct marketing lists and individual reference service lists. Consumers who have previously opted out of receiving prescreened offers may have their names added to prescreened lists for credit and insurance offers by calling 1 888 5OPTOUT (1 888 567 8688).
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Opt Out
The ability of the consumer to notify credit reporting agencies, direct marketers and list compilers to remove their name from all future lists. Consumers may opt out of prescreened credit and insurance offer lists by calling 1 888 5OPTOUT (1 888 567 8688).
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Original Amount
The original amount owed to a creditor.
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Payment Status
Reflects the previous history of the account, including any delinquencies or derogatory conditions occurring during the previous seven years (i.e., current account, delinquent 30, current was 60, redeemed repossession, charge-off – now paying, etc.)
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Permissible Purposes
There are legally defined permissible purposes for a credit report to be issued to a third party. Permissible purposes include credit transactions, employment purposes, insurance underwriting, government financial responsibility laws, court orders, subpoenas, written instructions of the consumer, legitimate business needs, etc.
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Personal Information
Information on your personal credit report associated with your records that has been reported to us by you, your creditors and other sources. It may include name variations, your driver's license number, Social Security number variations, your date or year of birth, your spouse's name, your employers, your telephone numbers, and information about your residence.
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Personal Statement
You may request that a general explanation about the information on your report be added to your report. The statement remains for two years and displays to anyone who reviews your credit information.
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Petition
If a consumer files a bankruptcy, but a judge has not yet ruled that it can proceed, it is known as bankruptcy petitioned.
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Plaintiff
One who initially brings legal action against another (defendant) seeking a court decision.
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Potentially Negative Items
Any potentially negative credit items or public records that may have an effect on your creditworthiness as viewed by creditors.
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Public Record Data
Included as part of the credit report, this information is limited to tax liens, lawsuits and judgments that relate to the consumer's debt obligations.
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Recent Balance
The most recent balance owed on an account as reported by the creditor.
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Recent Payment
The most recent amount paid on an account as reported by the creditor.
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Released
This means that a lien has been satisfied in full.
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Reported Since
On the credit report, the date the creditor started reporting the account.
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Repossession
A creditor's taking possession of property pledged as collateral on a loan contract on which a borrower has fallen significantly behind in payments.
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Request for Your Credit History
When a credit grantor, direct marketer or potential employer makes a request for information from a consumer's credit report, an inquiry is shown on the report. Grantors only see credit inquiries generated by other grantors as a result of an application of some kind, while consumers see all listed inquiries including prescreened and direct marketing offers, as well as employment inquiries. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, credit grantors with a permissible purpose may inquire about your credit information prior to your consent. This section also includes the date of the inquiry and how long the inquiry will remain on your report.
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Responsibility
Indicates who is responsible for an account; can be single, joint, co-signer, etc.
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Revolving Account
Credit automatically available up to a predetermined maximum limit so long as a customer makes regular payments.
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Risk Scoring Models
A numerical determination of a consumer's credit worthiness. Tool used by credit grantors to predict future payment behavior of a consumer.
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Satisfied
If the consumer has paid all of the money the court says he owes, the public record item is satisfied.
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Secured Credit
Loan for which some form of acceptable collateral, such as a house or automobile has been pledged.
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Security
Real or personal property that a borrower pledges for the term of a loan. Should the borrower fail to repay, the creditor may take ownership of the property by following legally mandated procedures.
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Service Credit
Agreements with service providers. You receive goods, such as electricity, and services, such as apartment rental and health club memberships, with the agreement that you will pay for them each month. Your contract may require payments for a specific number of months, even if you stop the service.
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Settle
Reach an agreement with a lender to repay only part of the original debt.
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Source
The business or organization that supplied certain information that appears on the credit report.
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Status
On the credit report, this indicates the current status or state of the account.
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Terms
This refers to the debt repayment terms of your agreement with a creditor, such as 60 months, 48 months, etc.
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Third-Party Collectors
Collectors who are under contract to collect debts for a credit department or credit company; collection agency.
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Tradeline
Entry by a credit grantor to a consumer's credit history maintained by a credit reporting agency. A tradeline describes the consumer's account status and activity. Tradeline information includes names of companies where the applicant has accounts, dates accounts were opened, credit limits, types of accounts, balances owed and payment histories.
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Transaction Fees
Fees charged for certain use of your credit line – for example, to get a cash advance from an ATM.
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TransUnion
One of three national credit reporting agencies. The other two are Experian and Equifax.
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Truth in Lending Act
Title I of the Consumer Protection Act. Requires that most categories of lenders disclose the annual interest rate, the total dollar cost and other terms of loans and credit sales.
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Type
This refers to the type of credit agreement made with a creditor; for example, a revolving account or installment loan.
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Unsecured Credit
Credit for which no collateral has been pledged. Loans made under this arrangement are sometimes called signature loans; in other words, a loan is granted based only on the customer's words, through signing an agreement that the loan amount will be paid.
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Vacated
Indicates a judgment that was rendered void or set aside.
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Variable Rate
An annual percentage rate that may change over time as the prime lending rate varies or according to your contract with the lender.
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Verification
Verifying whether data in a credit report is correct or not. Initiated by consumers when they question some information in their file. Credit reporting agencies will accept authentic documentation from the consumer that will help in the verification.
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Victim Statement
A statement that can be added to a consumer's credit report to alert credit grantors that a consumer's identification has been used fraudulently to obtain credit. The statement requests the credit grantor to contact the consumer by telephone before issuing credit. It remains on file for 7 years unless the consumer requests that it be removed.
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Voluntary Bankruptcy
If a consumer files the bankruptcy on his own, it is known as voluntary bankruptcy.
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Wage Assignment
A signed agreement by a buyer or borrower, permitting a creditor to collect a certain portion of the debtor's wages from an employer in the event of default.
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Withdrawn
This means a decision was made not to pursue a bankruptcy, a lien, etc. after court documents have been filed.
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Writ of Replevin
Legal document issued by a court authorizing repossession of security.