When you want a copy of your credit report, the credit bureaus will request a copy of your social security card. They will also request a copy of something showing your home address which may be different than what is shows on the credit report. Send them an energy bill or a telephone bill, but do not send them a copy of your license that they may request. Credit bureaus sell your information, for a variety of reasons, so it is not in your interest to give them this information. Only give your social security card to credit bureaus and no one else as this can make you venerable to endangering your credit. When you have copies of all three credit bureaus which is free of charge, if you were recently denied credit. Do not have anyone else get a copy of your credit report for you as this creates an "Inquiry" on your credit report, which creates a situation that is negative and looks like you are trying to borrow money from someone When you obtain your information from the Credit Bureaus there will be information explaining how to read the report. All of the Credit Bureaus will have different formats. The first thing you need to do is look for any bad credit information on the report, which shows you in a negative light. At the end of the Equifax report there may be collection accounts. Trans Union places them throughout the credit report. Explain shows a simple explanation of the negative information. There may be a collection agency name and an account number, which is from their records that, is new to you? If you see a discrepancy that is not familiar it may not be yours and you will have to investigate further.