What Your Credit Report Says About You

Your credit report reveals your credit history as for your payment history, how much credit you have extended, prior applications for loans and credit cards. Your past and present addresses are on your credit report along with prior employers. This report also gives every name and variation that you have used to obtain or apply for credit.

Your social security number tracks your every move in the financial world. If someone else uses your social security number, this shows up on your credit record as coming from you. In some cases, fraudulent credit and identity theft can be avoided by checking your credit report annually. For the most part, if you see something wrong on your credit report and question it right away, clearing it from your credit history with proper documentation avoids further problems with your ability to apply and receive credit.

Credit history tells lenders about how you pay your bills. If you pay on time, within one month after becoming due and past sixty days. This allows lenders and creditors to see whether you are a good candidate for a loan or credit card. This also helps lenders determine how much money you can receive at that time.

Many employers now conduct a credit check before hiring. The new ruling that came about a few years back, allows the employer to do a credit check in order to determine if you are a good candidate for the job you are applying for in a specific field. The credit checks supply all the information in your credit history.

Viewing your annual free credit report helps in many ways, if you want to buy a home, get a credit card or a loan, receive some types of insurance or in getting a job, you need to know your credit history and what it says about you before doing anything, including applying for a job. People usually find out they were turned down for a job because of a credit check and later found out the credit history was inaccurate.

The annual free credit report tells if you have been married and divorced as well as vehicles that you may have owned. Your credit report is your life history and needs checking yearly for accuracy to insure your future credit and buying power. Your ability to keep track of your credit history every year prevents so many problems that arise at the time of a personal or home loan.

Once you realize how your credit report and credit score affect your every day life, you will want a copy every year to view for any inconsistencies that appear on the report. Corrections usually clear up any misunderstanding that occurs because of your credit history.