Credit History Check

Conducting your own credit history check is a wise move; even the Congress of the United States agrees! Previously, Congress passed several credit card reporting acts that offer consumers protection and one of these set forth the right to obtain a free credit report from each of the big three Credit Reporting Agencies (CRAs): Equifax, Trans Union and Experian.

Allowing consumers to check credit history on their own, for free, was an excellent idea. Every consumer should take advantage of this opportunity to get a free credit history check every year. If the consumer checks one CRA report every four months, they can have a steady flow of information about who is accessing and requesting their credit history reports.

The only website authorized to offer truly free credit reports where consumers can check credit history is: https://www.annualcreditreport.com. When a consumer goes to this website, the first page they see will have a box to enter the name of their state. After they do this, they will fill out a confidential and secure form with certain personal information, including Social Security Number. Then, they will be directed to a choice of which credit report they want to view.

This service is very beneficial to consumers. Doing a credit history check is a wise move because it allows consumers to see if anyone is illegally applying for credit in their name. It is good to keep a close watch on your credit accounts to be sure they are being reported correctly.

It is easier than ever today to steal an identity. Identity theft is one of the worst crimes to be put upon a consumer; it can take years to straighten out credit account fraud. If you do not check your credit history on a regular basis, you are open to mistakes, inaccurate reporting and fraudulent access to your account. Take responsibility for your credit history by reviewing your big three reports at least once per year.

At AnnualCreditReport.com, consumers can read frequently asked questions about credit and credit reporting. There are referral telephone numbers and addresses for the big three CRAs, and for the Federal Trade Commission that oversees consumer credit. Fraud alert placement must be done directly through the credit reporting agencies, but their telephone numbers for reporting fraud are listed on this website also.

There are new, recently issued credit laws to protect consumers, but the best protection is to be watchful and perform your own credit history check at least annually. Looking at your own credit history records will not hurt your credit score at all. If you see a mistake or need to add your own statement to some adverse report, you definitely should do that. You will need to contact each CRA individually to make corrections or to add a statement.

Credit history reports show personal identity information, residences, adverse and positive reports, inquiries requested, non-requested inquiries, payment histories, balance amounts and other vital information. It is crucial that every entry be correct; check credit history regularly!