How to Check a Person's Credit History

Your credit history is checked when you apply for credit accounts, insurance, apartments and even some jobs. When you know what's on your credit report, you know exactly what to expect when you're going in with an application of any sort. You can also fix any problems on your credit report that arise from inaccurate information or identity theft. Landlords, creditors and other authorized businesses may request a credit report for an individual.

Instructions

Your Own Credit

1

Use your Internet browser to go to annualcreditreport.com.

2

Select your state from the drop down list provided and click "Request Report."

3

Fill out the provided form with your personally identifying information. You need to provide your name, Social Security number, address and any additional addresses in the last two years. Click "Continue."

4

Put a check mark next to each of the three credit reporting agencies that you wish to request a report from. These credit reporting agencies are the three most used for consumer credit. Click "Next" and follow the on-screen prompts at the individual reporting agency sites to view the report from that company. You can only request a report through this system once per year. If you need one more frequently than this, each credit reporting agency offers individual credit reports for a low price, as well as monthly credit monitoring services.

Requesting Someone Else's Credit

5

Give your prospective tenant or debtor an application form that requests the individual's name, address, Social Security number, date of birth and any previous addresses within the past two years.

6

Send this information to a tenant screening or credit screening third party company that handles credit checks for you, if you would like to outsource this service.

7

Request a credit report for an individual from the specific credit bureau report you are checking. Requirements to request an individual's credit report varies between the different credit reporting agencies. Some have specific services set up for landlords and businesses, while others may have an application process for requests.