Why a bureau may have no file for you yet
A missing file is a normal starting point, not an error.
No file is a starting point
If a bureau has no record of your business, that is the expected result for a company that has not yet bought on terms from a reporting supplier. It is not a failure, and not something to dispute.
How a file gets created
A file is created when someone who extends you credit reports the account. That is usually:
- a supplier offering Net-30 terms who reports to a commercial bureau,
- a business credit card issuer that reports commercially rather than personally,
- a lender or equipment financer,
- or us, once your plan is active and your activity goes out in the monthly cycle.
Not every supplier reports. Before opening an account, ask which bureaus they report to — it is a normal question, and the answer determines whether the account does anything for your file.
What to do next
Work through the foundation section of your credit checklist, then open one or two reporting trade accounts. Files typically appear after the first few reporting cycles, and each bureau decides for itself when it has enough history to score you.