 TITLE: Why Is the Credit Card Balance on My Credit Report Different? CONTENT: When Do Credit Card Companies Report Balances?\n----------------------------------------------\nCredit card companies report your credit card usage to the three major consumer credit bureaus—Experian, TransUnion and Equifax—after each billing cycle. The frequency may vary a bit, since each credit card issuer has its own reporting schedule, but you can generally expect your credit card activity to be reported to the credit bureaus every 30 to 45 days. Whenever new information is reported, your credit report is updated and your credit score may change as a result.\nWhen you check your credit report, you may notice a balance on a credit card that you recently paid in full. That's because your credit report lists the balance that was on your credit card when the credit card company last reported to the credit bureau. Because reporting typically happens at the end of a billing cycle, you're likely to see the balance that appeared on your last monthly statement.\nIf you have a new credit card, the balance may not appear on your credit report at all. Generally, a new credit card won't show up on your credit report until 30 to 60 days after you opened the account. (This may vary depending on the credit card issuer and when the card's billing cycle ends.)\nIf you're trying to reduce your credit card balances before you apply for a loan, you might want your credit card account to show a zero balance on your credit report. The only way to accomplish this is to pay the balance in full and not use your credit card for the following month. At the end of the next month, your credit card company will report the zero balance to the credit bureaus, and your credit report will reflect your account's paid-off status. END