Credit History

5 of the best sites with information about what a credit history means, how to check your yours, and how to improve it. Know of another site that should be listed here? Leave your suggestion at the bottom of this page. (Related searches: Auto Loans, Department Store Credit Cards, Auto Refinance Rates)

1. Credit History at Wikipedia - Online encyclopedia gives an overview of what a credit history is, how it is determined, and how it can affect your ability to get loans, credit cards, etc. (en.wikipedia.org)

2. What’s in Your FICO Score - This page explains how FICO, the company that invented credit scores, uses your credit history to compute a credit score number for you that lenders then use in determining whether or not to loan you money, and at what interest rate if they do. You’ll find the components that go into creating a credit score and how important each factor is — factors include whether you pay your bills on time, how much debt you currently carry, the length of your credit history (how many years you’ve had credit or loans), and more. (www.myfico.com)

3. AnnualCreditReport.com - There are 3 major credit reporting bureaus that keep track of your credit history, and you are entitled to get a free copy of your credit report from each agency once per year. This is the official site to get your copy and check your credit history — other sites offering free credit reports are usually signing you up for some sort of additional product that will cost you money, so be sure to go here. (www.annualcreditreport.com)

4. Employers Checking Credit History - As this March 2010 article shows, employers may check your credit history when deciding whether or not to offer you a job — with a bad credit history obviously not helping your chances. (www.washingtontimes.com)

5. Credit History Info and Tips from Sallie Mae - Student loan provider offers information on how to build a good credit history, why you may have a poor credit history, how to dispute false information on a credit report, credit scores, more. (www.collegeanswer.com)