How to Pull a Credit History
With the advent of the Internet, pulling credit history is easier than ever. Accessing these personal records only requires that you provide a minimum amount of personal information, including a Social Security number, for identity verification. Credit history can be instantly obtained from Equifax, TransUnion and Experian three of the biggest credit monitoring companies in the United States. It only takes about three minutes to obtain a full, itemized credit history report.
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Instructions
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Go to a reputable, online credit reporting bureau. (See Resources for list of credit reporting bureaus.)
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Select the link option that redirects you to the personal information data forms. This particular link should read, "Get Credit Report Now" or "View Free Credit Report."
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Fill out the blank data forms in the order form table by typing in your personal information, such as your name, address and phone number.
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Click the "Continue" action at the bottom of the blank data forms' table.
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Enter your Social Security number, date of birth and credit card information on the second page to finish the personal data information section.
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Click the "Submit" action at the bottom of the table.
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Answer the verification questions correctly to complete the identity verification portion of the application prior to viewing the credit history report.
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Opt to save the credit history report to your hard drive, once it is displayed at the end of the verification process.
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Tips & Warnings
Everyone is allowed one free credit report per year. But if you desire to obtain consistent credit monitoring, you can do so for a minimal charge per month. This charge is usually $14.99 a month or more to ensure that your credit is not being tampered with or authorized without your consent. If you can afford the monthly charge, it is highly recommended to ensure the safety of your credit score.
It would be wise to cancel your credit history report account after you have pulled the report.
Your credit card will not be charged initially. It will be used to verify your identity and give you access to a trial subscription of the credit history report viewing and monitoring program. This trial subscription will enable you to view and save a copy of your credit history report. But keep in mind you must cancel the trial subscription within 14 days of obtaining your credit report to avoid incurring charges for the service.
Several credit history report companies, like AnnualCreditReport and FreeCreditReport, are available so you can obtain your credit history online. But be advised that all companies are not free, reputable and accurate. Some records may not display recent and up-to-date activity. AnnualCreditReport.com is the only authorized credit report vendor recommended by the U.S. government to ensure you obtain the most accurate information. (See the Federal Trade Commission resource link below for additional information.)
