Consumer Reports!? Equifax, Transunion, and Experian are not the only companies reporting information about you! According to the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, CFPB, several companies report consumer information. Read more to learn about the consumer reporting categories, the companies reporting the information, and how to ensure your data is correct.  

Categories of Consumer Reports

We typically think of credit history or inquiries when considering consumer reporting. Consumer reporting is so much more. Information such as employment, salary, eviction information, and more is being reported. There are 11 different categories of consumer information. The categories are:

• Nationwide Consumer Reporting Companies  

• Employment Screening  

• Tenant Screening  

• Deposit account & Payments Screening  

• Personal Property Insurance  

• Medical  

• Low-income & Subprime  

• Supplementary Reports  

• Telecom & Utilities  

• Retail  

• Gaming & Sports Betting   

Who is Reporting  

With over 60 reporting agencies, many do allow for a free report if you request it; however, only about a quarter will enable you to freeze your consumer report if you request it. As a reminder, it is essential to remember that not every company will have information on you. For descriptions and company names of each type, please visit the CFPB “List of consumer reporting companies” at https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-reports-and-scores/consumer-reporting-companies/companies-list/. The list from CFPB states the list includes “consumer reporting agencies” as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, however, some entities may not be listed depending on their industry.    

Maintain Accurate Consumer Reports  

Here are some tips to help you check in on your consumer reports. The CFPB recommends the following steps: Request, Review, and Dispute. For more information on the three-step process, please visit the CFPB document at https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_consumer-reporting-companies_list_2025.pdf.  

1. Request your reports annually.

   

   • Set a time to request the reports you need most. Then, visit the company website to request the reports. It is essential to know that not all these companies have data on you.  
   • Most companies offer their reports for free; however, some charge. Evaluating which company, you should request your report from is crucial to avoid wasting money or time.  

2. Review your information  

   • After you request your report, set time aside to review it for any errors. It is insufficient to only ask for the report- you must thoroughly evaluate it and ensure the data is correct.  

3. Dispute any errors if necessary.

   • If your report has no errors, then you are good to go. However, if the report has incorrect information, you need to dispute the report.   

In summary, it is vital to check your reports yearly. Understanding the vast amount of information that could be reported is key to keeping your information accurate. Freeze or dispute your reports if necessary. If you have any questions, please contact Josey at josey.keener@ufl.edu.

Featured image photo credits: UF/IFAS Photo by Cat Wofford – 2023 UF/IFAS Communications

Resources:   

Companies List | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2025). consumerfiance.gov.  https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-reports-and-scores/consumer-reporting-companies/companies-list/  

Fair Credit Reporting Act | Federal Trade Commission. (2025). ftc.gov. https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/statutes/fair-credit-reporting-act 

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