1. CREDIT BUREAU
A credit bureau is a private company that gathers account information from various creditors and provides that information to consumer reporting agency 
The three main Reporting Agencies in the U.S. are:
Experian
Trans Union
Equifax
Credit Score:
Is a number based on a statistical analysis of a person’s credit files
FICO Score – (Fair Isaac Corp) is the most commonly used score
You do not receive a free Credit Score but must purchase it from each Reporting Agency
You can get a good estimate of your Credit Score at: creditkarma.com

2. Credit Report
Is a summary of your credit history (Loans, Bankruptcies, late payments, etc).
You are entitled to one free Credit Report each year from each of the three major Consumer Reporting Agencies
Online:
Phone:
More Info:

3. Credit Score
Is a number based on a statistical analysis of a person’s credit files
FICO Score – (Fair Isaac Corp) is the most commonly used score
You do not receive a free Credit Score but must purchase it from each Reporting Agency
You can get a good estimate of your Credit Score at:

4. What Influences Your Credit Score?
1. Payment History - 35% - never be late
Set up automatic bill pay
Set up a Line Credit on your checking account
Counts about 35% of your score
Level of Debt – 30%
Overall Debt
Credit Utilization - Credit card - debt to credit limit ratio
Loan Balance to Original loan amount

5. What Influences Your Credit Score?
Age of Credit – 15%
Age of your oldest account
Avg age of all accounts
Opening new accounts – lowers your credit score
Types of Credit – 10%
Revolving Accounts - credit cards
Installment Loans - car loan, mortgage
5. Credit Inquiries – 10% - only last 12 months