You may have heard "you have five files and you've only looked at one." It's directionally right. Here's the accurate version.
1. The three nationwide bureaus
Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion each keep their own file on you, and they don't always match. A lender may pull one, two, or all three. Pull all three for free at AnnualCreditReport.com, the only site authorized for the free federal reports. Free reports are now available weekly from each bureau.
2. LexisNexis Risk Solutions
A specialty consumer reporting company that supplies public-record and identity data — old addresses, names, liens, judgments — that institutions use to verify you. Request your free Consumer Disclosure once every 12 months at consumer.risk.lexisnexis.com/request. Access instructions arrive by U.S. mail.
3. ChexSystems
Your checking-account history: applications, openings, and closures. It matters when you open the business bank account a lender will want to see. Request your free disclosure at chexsystems.com.
4. Early Warning Services
Bank-to-bank account and payment history used to detect fraud, and sometimes to evaluate thin-file consumers. The file disclosure is free at earlywarning.com/consumer-information.
5. Your business file
Dun & Bradstreet is one of several business credit files (Experian and Equifax keep business files too). Start with a free D-U-N-S Number at dnb.com. D&B's free tier shows risk ranges, not exact PAYDEX numbers. Business files are not FCRA consumer reports, so there's no free-annual-report right.
A note on "what lenders see"
There's no single standard. The SBA notes lenders use different reports and scoring models depending on which agencies they subscribe to (SBA). Treat these as files lenders and banks may check. The CFPB keeps a list of specialty reporting companies.
Ready to see where you stand? Try the free Credit Health check — it runs entirely in your browser.