A credit report is the most important document of your financial life. Banks, landlords and sometimes potential employers all check your credit report to make decisions about your financial reliability — whether they want to lend to you or hire you. Everyone should understand the basics of a credit report and what yours means to you. What is a credit report? Not to be confused with credit scores — your credit report is a compilation of information about the way you handle your credit and debt accounts. It includes information about how much debt you’ve accumulated, how you pay your