1. Many companies look to your personal credit report for information about you. Your credit score and credit history might affect your ability to obtain loans, favorable interest rates, and even employment.

2. With the high volume of information processed by credit reporting agencies, inaccuracies may occur. You are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of your own credit file and disputing any inaccuracies which may be damaging your credit score.

3. Your credit history may change at any time, based on new information provided by creditors, possible inaccuracies, or other additions to your report. Changes and additions to your credit history may result in changes to your credit score.

4. Identity theft is a fast-growing crime with potentially disastrous effects for consumers. Discrepencies in your credit report may provide early warning signs of identity theft.

5. While credit bureaus do their best to ensure the accuracy of information contained in your credit file, you're the most qualified person to detect and contest inaccuracies, or verify the integrity of your report.