How To Self-Report Information to the Credit Bureaus To Boost Your Credit Score
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Self-reporting lets you get credit for payments that usually don’t count toward your credit score, like rent, utilities, or your phone bill. Adding these on-time payments can help you build a stronger credit history without taking on new debt — sometimes even giving you an instant boost if the service reports past payments. But self-reporting isn’t a guaranteed fix. Not all services report to all three credit bureaus, some may include late payments, and many charge fees.
Written by Attorney Paige Hooper. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated August 26, 2025
Credit cards and loans aren’t the only way to build your credit score. You can add to your credit history and potentially boost your score by self-reporting monthly payments for everything from rent and utilities to your phone bill and streaming services. Self-reporting can be a great way to get credit for paying your regular bills on time.
In this article, you’ll learn:
✅ What self-reporting is
✅ What types of information you may be able to add to your credit report
✅ How third-party tools can help
Let’s jump in.
What Does It Mean To Self-Report to Credit Bureaus?
💡 Self-reporting means using a third-party service to add certain types of payment information — like rent, utility bills, or phone payments — to your credit report. You can’t report this information directly to the credit bureaus yourself, but some companies can do it for you.
How Is Self-Reporting Credit Different From Regular Reporting?
The three main credit bureaus in the U.S. are Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. They usually get your credit information from lenders.
💳 Credit cards, car loans, and mortgages usually show up automatically because lenders regularly share that information with the credit bureaus.
💸 But everyday bills — like rent, utilities, and phone payments — typically aren’t automatically reported. That means people who pay these bills on time every month don’t get credit for it, even though it shows responsible financial behavior.
That’s where self-reporting helps. Third-party companies like Self, Kikoff, and Experian Boost work as middlemen. They verify your payments and send that info to the credit bureaus for you. These companies are called data furnishers, and only they are allowed to report information to the bureaus.
Self-reporting won’t boost your score overnight, but it can help build credit history, especially if you don’t have much traditional credit yet.
What Kinds of Information Can You Self-Report to the Credit Bureaus?
While you can’t add just anything to your credit report, some nontraditional payments can be included if you use the right tools.
Here are some examples of what many people are able to self-report using third-party services:
Rent payments
Utilities bills (electricity, water, gas)
Cell phone bills
Streaming services
Bank account activity
How Do Third-Party Credit Reporting Services Work?
Third-party payment reporting services verify and report a variety of nontraditional payments to the credit bureaus on your behalf.
📈 So long as you pay these bills on time each month, adding this payment history to your credit report can help increase your credit score.
Enrolling in these third-party services is generally a quick and simple process:
Sign up for the reporting service itself.
Link the accounts or bills that you want the service to report to the credit bureaus.
For some reporting services, you’ll link the bank or credit card account(s) that you use to pay those bills, rather than linking the billing accounts themselves.
The reporting service regularly scans the accounts for electronic evidence of your payments, then reports them to one or more credit bureaus.
🗓️ Some reporting services will retroactively scan the account history, going back as far as 24 months, and report your past payments. This instantly adds up to two years of payment history to your credit file.
Third-Party Rent Reporting
🏡 Rent is one of the most commonly self-reported bills. If you’re a renter and you routinely pay your rent on time, using a service to report that to the credit bureaus can help boost your credit score.
Rent reporting services operate a little differently than other third-party services. Rent reporters typically contact your landlord each month to verify that you paid your rent on time.
Some rent reporting services require your landlord to set up their own account with the service. Before signing up for a rent reporting service, find out what sort of verification is required, then consult with your landlord to be sure they’re on board with participating.
Who Benefits Most From Self-Reporting?
Self-reporting tools are especially helpful for people with thin credit files (those with only a few credit accounts) or no credit history at all. That’s because most credit scoring models need a certain number of active, well-managed accounts to generate a score.
If you’re new to credit or haven’t used traditional credit products, reporting on-time rent, phone, or utility payments can help you establish a credit history and become “scorable.” This can make a big difference when applying for a loan, credit card, or even renting a home.
What Are the Advantages of Reporting My Own Payment Information?
Self-reporting is a way to build credit without taking on new debt. Unlike credit-builder loans or secured credit cards, you’re not borrowing money — you’re simply getting credit for bills you already pay, like rent, utilities, or your phone plan.
Here are some of the main benefits of self-reporting:
➕No new debt required: Self-reporting lets you build credit using payments you're already making without needing a loan or credit card.
➕ Potential for quick results: Some services can add up to 24 months of past payments to your credit report, which may lead to a score increase shortly after you enroll.
➕ Helps build credit history: If you’re new to credit or have very few accounts, self-reporting can help you become “scorable” by adding more positive information to your report.
➕ Can strengthen payment history: On-time payments are the biggest part of your credit score. They make up 35% of your FICO score. Reporting more on-time payments can have a big impact.
➕ May offset negative marks: Positive accounts — like consistent rent or utility payments — can help balance out older negative items on your report.
➕ Works with your existing bills: Rent is often one of your largest monthly expenses. Self-reporting lets you turn that regular expense into something that can work in your favor.
➕ Builds over time: The longer you self-report and keep up with payments, the stronger your overall credit profile becomes.
Self-reporting isn’t a guaranteed credit boost, but for many people — especially those just starting out — it’s a simple, low-risk way to build a stronger credit foundation.
What Are the Disadvantages of Self-Reporting?
Self-reporting can be a helpful tool for building credit, but it’s not a perfect solution. Before you sign up for a service, it’s important to understand the possible downsides:
❌ Results can vary: Some people see a big boost in their credit score — sometimes 40 points or more — while others see little or no change. Even with similar credit profiles, results can be unpredictable.
❌ Not all credit reports will show your self-reported info: Most self-reporting services only report to one or two of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax). So if a lender checks a report from a bureau that didn’t receive your information, your self-reported bills won’t be included.
❌ Scoring models matter: Some credit scoring models count rent and utility payments, while others don’t. The most common model used by lenders, FICO 8, usually ignores this kind of self-reported data. So even if a bill shows up on your credit report, it might not help your score right away — depending on what version the lender uses.
❌ Some services may report missed payments: Services like Experian Boost only report on-time payments, which helps protect your score. But others may report late or missed payments, which could hurt your credit if you fall behind.
❌ Verification can be a hurdle: Some services require your landlord to confirm your rent payments or ask you to link your bank account. If your landlord doesn’t respond or you run into tech issues, your payments might not get reported.
❌ There may be a cost involved: While some options are free, many services charge a monthly fee, a setup fee, or both. Make sure the potential credit benefit is worth the price you’re paying.
Self-reporting isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. For some people, it’s a great credit-building tool. For others, it may not have much of an impact — or could even backfire if late payments are reported. It’s always a good idea to read the fine print and check what each service reports before you sign up.
How To Check Your Credit Report
Before you start adding new information, it helps to check what’s already on your credit reports.
💻 You can get a free report from each of the three major credit bureaus — Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax — once a week at AnnualCreditReport.com, the official government-authorized site.
When you review your reports, look for:
Which accounts are listed (credit cards, loans, etc.)
Which bureau is reporting them (not all lenders report to all three)
It’s normal to see differences between your reports. If an active account you use — like a credit card or loan — isn’t showing up, you can ask the lender if they’re willing to report it. Some lenders only report to one bureau, or sometimes not at all.
What Are the Best Self-Reporting Credit Services?
There are several third-party services that can help you self-report rent, utilities, and other bills to the credit bureaus. Each one works a little differently, with different costs, features, and credit bureau coverage.
Here's a breakdown to help you compare:
Some links are affiliate partner, which means Upsolve may earn a small commission if you choose to use their paid service. This helps keep our services free.
💰 Cost: Free for rent reporting only.
$6.95/month to add utilities and phone bills (reported to TransUnion only).
Optional $49.95 fee to report up to 2 years of past rent and utility payments.
▶️ Reports to: Rent goes to all three (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax).
Utility and phone bills go to TransUnion only.
👤 Landlord involvement: Not required.
✅ Best for people who want to build credit with rent and basic utility/phone bills
📌 Other notes: Doesn’t report late payments. Mostly positive reviews for ease of use and credit score improvements. Some complaints relate to other Self products, not rent reporting.
💰 Cost: $10.95/month or $105/year, plus a $95.95 setup fee.
Includes free back reporting for 24 months.
▶️ Reports to all three credit bureaus
👤 Landlord involvement: Yes, they verify your rent with your landlord.
✅ Best for renters who want hands-on service and full bureau coverage — and are okay involving their landlord
📌 Other notes: Mixed reviews. Some people report fast score increases, others mention refund and verification challenges.
Experian Boost
💰 Cost: Free.
▶️ Reports to Experian only.
👤 Landlord involvement: Not required, but rent must be paid through eligible online platforms.
✅ Best for
📌 Other notes: Reports phone, utility, streaming, and insurance payments. Skips over any late payments. Works best if you’ve made at least 3 payments within 6 months.
Rental Kharma
💰 Cost:$8.95/month. Optional $75 fee to report past rent at your current address.
▶️ Reports to TransUnion and Equifax.
👤 Landlord involvement: Yes.
✅ Best for renters who want to add past rent payments to build history fast
📌 Other notes: Mostly positive reviews, especially for customer support. A few complaints about unclear account status or delays.
Rock the Score
💰 Cost: $6.95/month. $48 signup fee, with a $65 optional charge to add two years of rent history.
▶️ Reports to TransUnion and Equifax.
👤 Landlord involvement: Yes.
✅ Best for renters preparing to apply for a mortgage who want strong reporting support and positive credit history
📌 Other notes: Smaller company, but strong reviews on Google for good service and helping users qualify for credit.
FrontLobby
💰 Cost: $4/month.
▶️ Reports to all three credit bureaus.
👤 Landlord involvement: Yes.
✅ Best for renters who want affordable rent reporting with full bureau coverage
📌 Other notes: No major reviews available yet, but reports to all three bureaus.
Piñata
💰 Cost: $5/month. Includes up to 24 months of back reporting.
▶️ Reports to all three credit bureaus.
👤 Landlord involvement: Not required.
✅ Best for renters who want a simple, hands-off way to report rent and earn rewards
📌 Other notes: Offers rewards for on-time rent payments. Generally well-reviewed, though some users reported accounts were opened without their consent.
What Are Other Good Ways To Boost Your Credit?
Self-reporting is just one tool to help build your credit. Many people use it alongside other strategies that also show lenders you can manage credit responsibly.
Here are some other great ways to build your credit:
Use credit cards wisely: If you have a credit card, try to keep your balance low and pay it off on time each month. If you don’t qualify for a regular card, a secured credit card (which requires a deposit) can be a good way to start. Become an authorized user: If a trusted family member or friend has a long history of on-time payments, they may be able to add you as an authorized user on their credit card. This lets their positive history appear on your report, even if you don’t use the card yourself.
Make every payment on time: On-time payments are the single biggest factor in your credit score. Setting up autopay or reminders can help you avoid missed payments.
Keep balances low: Using less than 30% of your available credit is ideal. For example, if you have a $1,000 limit, try to keep your balance under $300. Staying even lower (10% or less) can give your score an extra boost.
Consider a credit-builder loan: These small loans, often from credit unions or online lenders, are designed to help you build credit. You make monthly payments, and once you’ve paid off the loan, you usually get the money back (minus some interest).
Check your credit reports for errors: Mistakes like a payment marked late when it was actually on time or accounts you don’t recognize can drag down your score. Check your credit report at least a few times a year and file disputes directly with any bureaus that show errors. Fixing mistakes can give your score a boost and protect you from identity theft.
Each of these strategies can help strengthen your credit profile over time. The most important thing is to stay consistent — making regular on-time payments and keeping debt manageable. Small steps, practiced over months, add up to big improvements.
