Credit reporting agencies–like Equifax, Experian and TransUnion–create your credit report, which is a detailed report of your credit history based on information that’s been provided by lenders, auto finance companies, credit card companies and other creditors.

Credit reports contain a range of information—everything from personal details like names and Social Security numbers to specifics about auto loan payments and repossessions, plus loan and credit card payments. It gives a view of your overall credit and debt history, including how often you make payments on time, how much credit you have and how much credit you're using. Reviewing credit reports helps lenders decide if they will loan money to you and what interest rates and other terms they will offer. 

Learn how to check your credit report.

Credit reporting agencies–like Equifax, Experian and TransUnion create your credit report. An agency receives credit information from lenders, auto finance companies, credit card companies, and other creditors. When these “furnishers,” including Capital One, provide information to the agencies, it must be complete and accurate. We furnish payment history information on a regular basis, reporting payments that are on-time or delinquent (30 or more days late). We also include an account's status, such as open, paid in full or settled for less than the full balance along with additional account details. 

Hard Inquiries: If you apply for a credit card, auto financing, a job or a lease, the lender, employer or landlord may request credit reporting agencies to view your credit report. 

This type of credit check results in a hard credit inquiry and may be visible on your credit report for 2 years, even if the lender doesn’t offer you credit or if you decline their offer.

Soft Inquires: If you use Capital One's online tools to determine whether you’re pre-qualified or pre-approved for a credit card or auto financing, you must agree to us checking your credit report.

This type of credit check results in a soft credit inquiry appearing on your report. Soft inquiries don't impact your credit score.

Note: If you apply for a credit card or auto financing after you’re pre-approved or pre-qualified, you must consent to us performing a credit check that results in a hard inquiry appearing on your report.

As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains, “You have no right to opt out of having creditors report your accounts to the credit reporting companies.” 

Capital One’s customers are notified of this in our U.S. Consumer Privacy Notice and the terms and conditions governing relevant accounts.