• information that identifies you, such as name, address and social security number   
   
• present and previous credit information, including high and current balance and payment amounts   
   
• a payment history for each trade line, showing payments made on time or late  
   
• paid and unpaid collection items, including medical  
   
• public record information such as bankruptcies, judgments and tax liens  
   
• inquiries from other creditors that have recently checked your credit  
   
• your credit score  
   

Using credit scores allows the lender to quickly and easily assess the level of risk of a borrower. It helps the lender in determining both loan approval and interest rate pricing. Your score is determined by your payment history, the amount you owe, how long you have had credit, new credit being sought and the type of credit that you have. Credit scores are unbiased; race, age, gender, religion, marital status, nationality or occupation are not part of the scoring system. Credit scores range from 350 to 850. Generally, borrowers with credit scores above 660 are considered an acceptable risk. If your credit score is between 620 and 660, your loan may be reviewed more closely to determine other potential risk factors.

If your credit score is lower than you would like for it to be, there are things that you can do to increase your score such as:

• make all of your payments on time, especially your mortgage payment  
   
• keep the balance on your credit cards as low as possible  
   
• be conservative in applying for new credit  
   
• pay off or make payment arrangements for unpaid judgments or collection items  
   
• monitor your credit report for errors and/or fraud  
   

It is recommended that you check your credit report annually. There are three credit reporting repositories that you should contact:

• TransUnion: PO Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022 (800) 888-4213  
   
• Equifax: PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374 (800) 685-1111  
   
• Experian: PO Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013 (800) 397-3742