If you see an inquiry from CREDCO on your credit reports, it’s likely associated with CoreLogic Credco.

CoreLogic Credco is a third-party consumer credit reporting agency that provides merged credit reports to a number of mortgage lenders. These are called merged credit reports because they combine data from the single reports of the three major consumer credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Lenders may use CoreLogic Credco’s merged reports to help determine whether to approve you for a loan. So a CREDCO inquiry on your credit reports could simply mean that you recently applied for a mortgage with a lender that relies on CoreLogic Credco for its credit-report needs.

Recent mortgage application not ringing any bells? There are other legitimate reasons CREDCO might show up on your credit reports. We’ll take a look at some of those below and walk through what you can do if you spot an account you don’t recognize on your credit reports.

• Why is CREDCO on my credit reports?
• What types of loans is CREDCO associated with?
• Next steps: What to do if there’s an inquiry or account you don’t recognize on your credit reports

Why is CREDCO on my credit reports?

Perhaps you’re familiar with that moment of cold panic that comes when you check your credit reports and spot an unfamiliar name. Not a great feeling, right? But there’s often a legitimate reason for strange terms showing up on your credit reports. In the case of CREDCO, it likely relates to the tools that lenders use to determine whether to approve you for a loan.

CREDCO is the credit report name associated with CoreLogic Credco, a consumer credit reporting agency whose parent company is CoreLogic. If you simply poke around its very corporate-looking website, it can be difficult to determine what exactly CoreLogic does. While the company’s data and services touch an impressive variety of industries, for the purposes of this article we can boil it down to this: CoreLogic Credco provides credit reports to lenders.

But not just any credit reports. CoreLogic Credco specializes in merged credit reports, which bring together data from all three of the major consumer credit bureaus. The lenders, in turn, use these three-bureau credit reports to help determine whether to approve loan applications.

Pretty nifty stuff. These merged reports are CoreLogic Credco’s bread and butter, but the company actually offers a number of different credit reports to lenders. Here’s a breakdown of what we’ll call the “Big Three.”

• Instant Merge — CoreLogic Credco’s website calls this “the mortgage industry’s most widely used and accepted” three-bureau merged credit report. So, it’s a good bet that a CREDCO inquiry on your credit report is of the Instant Merge variety.
• Instant Merge PreQual — This is a single-bureau credit report and FICO® score — the diet version of Instant Merge, if you will. Lenders don’t use this type of credit report to make a final lending decision, but it can be a way to help them determine whether you prequalify for a loan. This type of credit inquiry counts as a soft inquiry, so you may, or may not, see it on your credit reports. (More on this below.)
• Instant Merge Soft Touch — This is a soft-inquiry credit report approved by the three national credit bureaus for use in consumer counseling. Again, since it’s a soft inquiry, you may or may not see it on your credit reports.

Now that we’ve introduced CoreLogic Credco, let’s talk briefly about hard and soft inquiries to shed some more light on why CREDCO might be popping up on your credit reports.

Hard and soft credit inquiries

It seems likely that, in most cases, CREDCO will appear on your credit reports because it’s associated with a credit inquiry (otherwise known as a “credit pull”). There are two types of credit inquiries, and the distinction between them is important.

A hard credit inquiry (or “hard pull”) generally occurs when a financial institution checks your credit when making a lending decision. These commonly take place when you apply for a mortgage or loan, and you typically have to authorize them.

If you applied for a mortgage or other type of loan recently and had to provide authorization for a hard inquiry, you may have provided that authorization to CoreLogic Credco rather than the lender itself. (If you don’t think you’ve authorized a hard inquiry, there are some steps you can take to help lessen the consequences of potential identity  theft and fraud.)

A soft credit inquiry (or “soft pull”) typically occurs when a person or company checks your credit as part of a background check. In the case of CoreLogic Credco, each of the Instant Merge PreQual and Instant Merge Soft Touch credit reports involves a soft credit inquiry.

Unlike hard inquiries, soft inquiries won’t affect your credit scores. And you may or may not see them in your credit reports, depending on the credit bureau. To learn more, check out our article on hard and soft credit inquiries and how they impact your credit.

What types of loans is CREDCO associated with?

CoreLogic Credco’s website states that “19 of the top 20 mortgage lenders” use its Instant Merge three-bureau merged credit report, so a CREDCO inquiry is probably more common than you might imagine. If you recently applied for a mortgage with a company like Wells Fargo, that’s probably why you’re seeing it.

It’s important to note that, while mortgage is a significant part of CoreLogic Credco’s business, the company’s data and consumer information services touch a number of other industries as well.

One notable industry when it comes to CoreLogic Credco’s credit-reporting services is the automotive industry. Auto dealers and lenders may partner with the company to order credit reports from all three bureaus from a single source — so if you’ve recently applied for an auto loan and see CREDCO on your reports, we may have just cracked the case.

Still unsure about a CREDCO mention on your reports and want some additional information? Just call them. You can reach the company’s consumer assistance telephone number at 800-637-2422 on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time.

Next steps: What to do if there’s an inquiry or account you don’t recognize on your credit reports

If you’re digging around trying to find out why a name like CREDCO is showing up on your credit reports, you’re practicing good credit hygiene. Congrats! Identity theft and fraud are things to take seriously, and we commend you for doing the research to stay on top of your credit.

Then again, you shouldn’t assume an inquiry or account is fraudulent just because you don’t immediately recognize the name. In some cases, lenders may partner with third-party services and companies like CoreLogic Credco. So it’s worth doing a bit of extra research before you take steps to dispute it as a credit report error.

Here’s an extra bit of good news: Credit Karma offers a number of free tools and services to help you protect your credit. These include …

• Free credit-monitoring — This service can alert you to important changes on your credit reports. Along with checking your credit scores regularly, this feature sends you an alert so you can check any suspicious activity and report any instances of identity theft.
• Free identity monitoring — This service notifies you when Credit Karma learns there’s been a data breach in which your information may have been compromised. We’ll also give you tips on how to lock your credit with the three major consumer credit bureaus.

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Get the app

Create your own karma.

See your free credit scores and more.

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The Credit Karma app is free to download for iOS and Android, and it’s more than just a way to check your free credit scores on the go.

As Credit Karma has expanded its mission to help members make financial progress, the Credit Karma app has expanded personalized tools and features as well. The app empowers you to stay on top of your overall financial picture by checking your free credit scores — but that’s not all. You can stash away cash with Credit Karma Money™ Save and more.

In this article, we’ll cover how to download the Credit Karma app on your iOS or Android device. Then we’ll take a deep dive into the features that set the app apart from Credit Karma’s desktop or mobile website. Spoiler alert: In general, we think using the app is the best way to get the most out of Credit Karma’s tools and features.

• How to download the Credit Karma app on iOS and Android
• Features unique to the Credit Karma app
• Personalized products and tools in the Credit Karma app
  • Approval Odds
  • Tips for financial progress
  • Relief Roadmap
  • Free ID monitoring
  • Credit Karma Savings

How to download the Credit Karma app

The Credit Karma app is free to download, but you’ll have to sign up as a member before you can use it. Signing up for Credit Karma is free and doesn’t require any kind of credit card or payment information. Signing up and downloading the app won’t have any impact on your credit, and Credit Karma takes security seriously.

Once you’re a member, you can download the Credit Karma mobile app on a compatible device. We’ll get into compatibility requirements for iOS and Android devices below, but now’s a good time to mention that the Credit Karma app isn’t currently compatible with Windows phones, tablets and some large-resolution phones.

 How to get the Credit Karma app for iOS

1. Head over to the App Store and verify that your device is compatible with the Credit Karma app. As of May 2023, the app requires iOS 14.0 or later and is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
2. Click the icon to download.
3. Once the app is installed, use your credentials to log in.

How to get the Credit Karma app for Android

1. Head over to the Google Play store and verify that your device is compatible with the Credit Karma app. If you’re having trouble with your Android device, you can contact Credit Karma’s member support team for help.
2. Click the “Install” button.
3. Once the app is installed, use your credentials to log in.

Now that you’ve successfully downloaded the app, let’s review some of the features and tools that make it worth the storage space on your phone.

Features unique to the Credit Karma app

Even if you’re already a Credit Karma member, you may be missing out on certain features if you’re only using the desktop or mobile site. Here are some features only found in the Credit Karma app.

Multiple login options

Depending on your device, you may have as many as three options for logging in on the mobile app.

• PIN
• Touch ID
• Face ID

To choose your preferred login option, tap the three dots icon in the top right corner of the app, and then tap Settings to change your login settings.

If you have a compatible device, you’ll see options to set up Touch ID or Face ID in the menu (look directly below Change passcode). You can toggle Touch ID or Face ID on or off by tapping the circle on the right side.

In-app alerts and push notifications

Alerts and push notifications can help you stay on top of important changes to your accounts and credit profile for the two bureaus Credit Karma works with: Equifax and TransUnion. They can also show you ways to make financial progress that you may not have previously been aware of.

With the Credit Karma app installed on your device, you’ll have the option to receive credit alerts if Credit Karma sees important changes to your credit reports from two of the three main consumer credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion. Some of these changes may be expected — you paid off a recent credit card bill, for example — while others may require your immediate attention or action. In either case, Credit Karma’s free credit-monitoring tool helps you stay on top of your credit and spot unwelcome surprises early.

Personalized tools in the Credit Karma app

The Credit Karma app also offers access to all the personalized financial tools you’ll find on the desktop and mobile website. Many of these tools, like the Relief Roadmap, were designed first and foremost for the in-app experience. That’s why we think the app is the best way to make the most of Credit Karma’s most-helpful tools.

Personalized Approval Odds

If you’re shopping for financial products like a credit card or personal loan, Credit Karma can help by suggesting offers based on your credit and personalized “Approval Odds” (money Credit Karma makes from partners may also be a factor in our recommendations).

Approval Odds serve as guidelines (not guarantees) about the likelihood that you’ll be approved for a specific financial product. No two credit profiles are exactly the same, so your odds of approval might be different from those of other Credit Karma members. Scroll over the information icon next to the Approval Odds for each of your credit card recommendations, and you’ll see a pop-up message that explains how Credit Karma determines your unique Approval Odds.

Credit Karma determines Approval Odds by comparing your credit profile to other Credit Karma members who were approved for this product, or whether you meet certain criteria determined by the lender. Of course, there’s no such thing as a sure thing, but knowing your Approval Odds may help you narrow down your choices. For example, you may not be approved because you don’t meet the lender’s “ability to pay standard” after they verify your income and employment; or, you already have the maximum number of accounts with that specific lender.

Curated tips to help you make financial progress

As you scroll through the app, you’ll see tips and curated advice to help you improve your credit and overall financial picture.

So in a section titled What you can do today, you might see tips or suggestions like …

• Pay down credit card debt with a personal loan
• Manage your car finances
• Learn more about the factors that can affect your home-buying power

You’ll also be able to explore recent updates to your credit reports. These updates are based on information from two of the major credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion.

Relief Roadmap

Credit Karma’s financial Relief Roadmap is a new tool that can help you explore and understand the relief resources, programs and financial services that may be available to you when you need them most.

After entering some personal information (like your household income and employment status), you’ll be presented with resources about government stimulus programs, unemployment benefits, debt relief opportunities and loan options you may qualify for.

The Relief Roadmap updates as Credit Karma sees new resources, so we recommend checking the Credit Karma app regularly for the latest information.

Free ID monitoring

Credit Karma’s free ID monitoring tool can help you spot potential identity theft.

If your information was exposed in a data breach, the app may alert you to any exposed passwords so that you can take the necessary steps to help keep your personal information safe.

Credit Karma Savings

Credit Karma Savings is a high-yield savings account option to consider if you want to see more of your finances in one place. It takes just a few minutes to open a savings account that earns a competitive interest rate. And once you’re set up, you’ll have insight into your credit and savings all in one place.

Next steps

Whether you’re new to Credit Karma or just want a cleaner, more personalized experience than the website can provide, we recommend downloading the Credit Karma app and giving it a try.

If you’re running into issues downloading or using the mobile app, you may want to check the App Store or Google Play to make sure you’re up to date with the latest version. If the issue persists, try deleting the app, and then reinstalling it. You can also reach out to Credit Karma for support.

Donna Shiley spent 25 years trying to purchase a home, but one thing held her back.

“I always struggled with my credit score,” admits the mechanical engineer and single mother of two.

Donna knew that her credit was responsible for all the rejected loan applications piling up on her kitchen table. Still, she couldn’t believe that a three-digit number could stand between her and her dream home.

Right after denying her, the mortgage companies all left her with the same boilerplate advice on how to build her credit: Keep your credit card balances low, pay your bills on time and eventually you’ll qualify for a loan. Donna had done her best to follow that advice, but it hadn’t brought her any closer to owning a home.

“I always paid my bills on time and I really didn’t take out any credit cards, because I didn’t want any debt,” she recalls, “so I didn’t understand why I couldn’t build my credit score.”

The rejections were disappointing enough. But being told “no” without knowing what to do next? That’s what broke her heart.

“I was disappointed and confused,” Donna says. The prospect of owning a home began to feel distant, bordering on impossible. It was an especially crushing blow to her as a parent, as she’d grown up in a family that moved nearly every year.

“I wanted to give [my family] a permanent home,” she says. “I wanted to dig in some roots.”

Today, Donna spends a lot less time worrying about mortgage applications. That leaves more time to tend the garden with her grandson, Daniel, or take leisurely walks down the tree-lined streets of South Chesterfield, Virginia. She recently purchased a beautiful two-story home, complete with a huge backyard and four bedrooms for the kids.

So, how did Donna go from being rejected for mortgages multiple times to owning a home in the perfect location, mere blocks away from Daniel’s school?

It started in the least likely of places: her couch.

“I was sitting on the couch and I had just paid my rent,” she recalls. “I saw a commercial on TV for Credit Karma, and I said this might be something I could look into.”

So Donna downloaded the Credit Karma app and was shocked by what she found. “I was horrified at my credit score,” she laughs. “It was pretty bad.”

This time, though, Donna did some extra digging. With Credit Karma, she was able to get her free credit scores from TransUnion and Equifax as well as check out the factors that impact those scores. She could also view her free credit reports to make sure all the accounts looked right and she wasn’t neglecting some small bill from years in the past.

Image: Donna walks her dog in the neighborhood

Looking over those reports, something clicked for Donna. She finally knew why she kept getting denied for home loans, despite her great job and responsible spending history.

“I was really shocked to see some of the things on my credit report,” she remembers.

A few of those things didn’t look quite right, so one of Donna’s first steps was to dispute them. She took advantage of Credit Karma’s Direct Dispute™ tool, which allows members to dispute an account error directly with only a few simple clicks.

But Donna wasn’t done there. “I also found some little, small bills, stuff I didn’t even know I had,” she admits. Some of those accounts had gone into collections, which may have caused her credit scores to drop substantially. Though different credit scoring models weigh factors differently, accounts in collection and other derogatory marks generally have a high impact on credit scores.

As Donna addressed these old accounts one by one, she noticed something thrilling — her scores were going up.

“It was very encouraging,” she says. “It made you want to work harder to get the things that you could with good credit. I [saw] myself getting closer and closer to that goal of purchasing a home, so it was really exciting.”

Every time she opened the Credit Karma app and reviewed her credit reports, Donna saw something else drop off.

After a while, Donna got to the point where she could apply for a loan with confidence that she’d be approved.

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“I’m 50 years old and it’s my first house, OK?” Donna says with a laugh. “I’m allowed to be excited!”

She’s seated in the kitchen of her new home. Every so often, she glances around as if she’s still trying to absorb every square inch of this place that’s definably, indisputably hers.

“When I was first approved for my home, it was almost disbelief,” she says. “I’d rented in this neighborhood for five years … Daniel has been going to the nearby school for four years now. When I come home from work every day and pull into the driveway, it’s really satisfying to know that this is something I was able to do.”

Donna remembers pulling into the driveway with her key in hand for the very first time.

“I was almost in tears,” she says, “and when I walked up to the door and unlocked it with my key, I was shaking.”

Donna has made that journey from the driveway to the front door countless times since then, but it never feels anything less than amazing. And the Shiley family will soon have one more place to call home.

“My youngest son [Michael] lives in Pennsylvania, he’s 27 years old,” she says. “He called me all excited because he’s getting ready to close on his first house for him and his family.” Donna told Michael about Credit Karma about a year ago, and he’s since built his score to the point where he can qualify for his own loan.

Donna can’t wait to visit. But first, she’s got some of her own projects to take care of.

“I can’t wait to get started on my backyard,” she says.

Image: Donna and her grandson water the garden

Ready to take the same steps Donna took to build her credit? With Credit Karma, you can:

• Dig into your credit score factors and view the accounts on your credit reports.
• Check for errors and use the Credit Karma Direct Dispute™ tool to dispute errors on your TransUnion report.
• Keep tabs on your credit with free credit monitoring.