Codes on your report may appear confusing at first. But information generally printed on the opposite side of the report will help you understand and come to terms with the reporting information creditors have registered on your behalf.

Most reporting agencies do a pretty decent job these days of explaining what their different codes mean. If the following explanations don't match up with what's on your own credit report, study the report you have or call the reporting agency for help in deciphering the notes.

The Experian reports have three ratings: pos (positive), non (non-rated), and neg (negative). You will want to challenge and have removed as many non and neg marks you legally can from your credit file.

The Equifax and Trans Union reports will have the same sort of ratings in your file: R (revolving account) and I (installment account).

Suppose on the Trans Union report you notice a rating of "I-3", which means you were three months late on payments to an installment credit agreement -- or "R-6", which means the company placed your revolving charge account in collection or charged it off after 6 months. If this information is inaccurate, you are in your rights to challenge this information and demand that it be removed.

Regarding Equifax and Transunion: any rating other than an R-1 or I-1 is a negative "black eye" on your credit file. Again, if the information is accurate you will not have much luck getting it removed.

However with time, derogatory information will automatically be removed... if you request it.

The following rating descriptions indicate to lenders your payment history on your credit report. Knowing what these codes mean before you apply for a loan or for a credit card will help you repair your credit report in advance -- or know where you stand if questions are raised from your bank loan officer.

Bk Adj Plan -- Debit included in or completed thtough a Bankruptcy Chapter 13.

Bk Liq Reo -- Debit included in or discharged through Bankruptcy Cahpter 7 or Cahpter 11.

Charge-Off -- Unpaid balance reported as a loss by the grantor of credit.

Clos INAC -- Inactive account which has been closed.

Clos NP AA -- Credit line closed. Not paying as agreed.

Coll Acct -- Account seriously past due. Account assigned to attorney, collection agency, or credit grantor's own collection department.

CR CD Lost -- Credit card reported stolen or lost.

CR Ln Clos -- Credit line closed. There may be unpaid balance. Reason unknown; may be by customer's request.

CR Ln Rnst -- Credit line now available for use. Credit in good standing.

Curr Acct -- May apply to either an open or a closoed account which is in good standing.

Cur was Col -- Current account that had been turned over to collection agency.

Cur was DI -- Current account that was past due.

Cur was For -- Current account; foreclosure procedings have begun.

Cur was 30-2 or 3,4,5,6, etc. -- Current account was 30 days past due 2,3,4,5, 6 times.

Cur was 60 or 90, 120, etc. -- Current account was 60, 90, 120 days late on payment.

Deceased -- Creditor is listed as deceased.

Delinq 60 or 90, 120, etc. -- Account was 60, 90, 120 days late.

Del was 90 -- Account was delinquent; now it is 30 or 60 days late.

Gov Claim -- A claim has been filed with the government for insured poortion or balance on a student loan.

Foreclosure -- Creditor has sold collateral to settle a mortgage that is in default.

Inquiry -- A copy of credit report that is sent tot he credit grantor that has recently requested it.

Ins Claim -- Claim filed for payment of insured portion of balance.

Judgment -- Lawsuit resulting in judgment against you which has not been paid.

Lien -- Outstanding taxes you owe to federal, state or county government.

Not Paid AA -- Account is not being paid as agreed.

Paid Acct -- Closed account with a zero balance, not rated by grantor.

Paid Status -- Closed account; account paid satisfactorily.

Pd by Dler -- Creditor was paid by company that originally sold the merchandise.

Pd Chg Off -- Paid account which was a charge-off.

Pd Coll Acc -- Paid account which was a collection account.

Paid not AA -- Paid account. Some of the payments were made past the agreed due dates.

Pd Repo -- Paid account which was a repossession.

Pd was 30 -- Paid account which was past due 30 days.

SCNL -- Creditor cannot locate the consumer.

Settled -- Account legally paid in full for less that the full balance.

Volun Repo -- Voluntary repossession.

30 Day Del -- Account past due 30 days.

Here are additional rating codes you'll need to help decipher some credit report formats. (An "I" or an "R" will precede these entries to distinguish whether they were installment loans or revolving loans):

00 -- Too new to rate. Approved but not used or rated yet.

01 -- Pays within 30 days of billing. Pays account as agreed.

02 -- Pays in more than 30 days, but not mroe than 60 days, or not more than one payment due.

03 -- Pays in more than 60 days, but not more than 90 days, or not more than two payments due.

04 -- Pays in more than 90 days, but not more than 120 days, or not more than three or more payments due.

05 -- Pays in 120 days or more.

07 -- Making regular payment under wage earner plan or similar arrangement.

08 -- Repossession.

8A -- Voluntary repossession.

8R -- Legal repossession.

09 -- Bad debt. Placed for collection, suit, judgment, charge-off, bankruptcy, skip.

9B -- Collection account.

UR -- Unrated.