How do I read and understand my credit report?

To read your credit report, start by getting a free copy from AnnualCreditReport.com, which pulls from the three major bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Your report is divided into four main sections: personal information (name, address, employment), account history (credit cards, loans, payment history), public records (bankruptcies, judgments), and inquiries (who has checked your credit). Focus on your payment history, which shows on-time and late payments, and your account balances versus credit limits. Look for any errors like accounts you don't recognize, incorrect balances, or outdated negative items, since negative marks generally fall off after seven years. If you spot errors, dispute them directly with the bureau reporting the mistake in writing.