Check Credit History and See Your Score
March 26th, 2009, Written By: admin
When you check your credit history online, it’s important to realize that this does not necessarily mean you will be able to see your credit score. The actual number that represents your creditworthiness is different than your credit history, which is the information that is listed on your credit report.
Your credit report includes information, such as:
- Your Social Security Number, employers, and your address
- You past and present credit accounts and loans
- Public records items, such as judgments and bankruptcies
This is, in essence, your credit history that is listed on your credit report. The information on this file goes back 7 years, but can list some forms of bankruptcies for as long as 10 years.
=> View Your Credit History
Your credit score, on the other hand, is a number that is assigned to you based on the information listed on your report. You are given points for good credit behavior, and points are taken for bad behavior.
What is considered good and bad behavior? The biggest part of your score is determined by your payment history — how often you pay or don’t pay your bills on time. Your score also looks at the length of time you’ve had credit accounts open, how much of your credit you use, and how often you try to get more credit.
Your score is used not only to determine if you can get approved for a home or auto loan, but it is often used by companies to gauge your level of responsibility. For example, employers often check your credit during the screening process, landlords will most often want to know your rating, and your auto insurance company may even use it to determine your rates.
The good news is that your credit score is not set in stone and it can always be improved. Even a poor rating can be turned around into excellent credit by disputing items and making a couple changes in your financial behavior.
See Your Credit Score
Categories: Free Credit Score Reports
