How to Get Online Credit History

Your credit history affects your ability to secure housing, loans and auto insurance. A poor history may even affect your ability to secure a job. According to MSN Money, as many as 80 percent of credit reports have some type of error. Some of these errors, such as late payments or inaccurate accounts, will lower your credit score. Credit reports are available online, allowing you to review your credit history.

Instructions

1

Order a credit report. A free credit report is available through AnnualCreditReport.com (see Resources) once a year from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus--Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

2

Answer personal questions to prove your identity. The website asks detailed questions before providing access to online credit reports. For example, you could be asked the exact amount of your mortgage payment. Keep financial files close in case you need to look something up.

3

Review the report. The credit report has several sections, including personal information, credit history, public records and an, inquiry section. Review the personal information, such as name and address for accuracy. Review the credit history section for unfamiliar accounts and late payments that aren't correct. Information in the public records section is never good, according to MSN Money. This is where bankruptcy and collection activity resides. The inquiry section will include creditors who have requested your credit history recently.

4

Dispute inaccuracies by filing a dispute form with the reporting bureau. Attach supporting information, such as account statements proving on-time payments, when sending the request. Credit bureaus typically respond to the request within 30 days. If approved, the inaccurate information will be removed from the credit file.