You should always be sure to look at your credit reports at least once a year.
It is important whether you are having credit problems or not.
Today everyone is entitled to a report from each of the three major credit bureaus once a year.
There used to be a fee for this.
You can obtain your free report by going on line and requesting one.
There are websites that allow you to fill out a simple form and they will send you your three reports for free quickly.
If you don't have internet access for some reason there is a brochure you can get from the Federal Trade Commission to fill out and they will send you the same reports.
You will get a listing of your payment history on all your accounts, balances, and payment behaviors.
They DO NOT include your FICO credit score though.
This three-digit number is used as a gauge of your worthiness by lenders, employers and insurers.
These all import scores use the information on your credit report in their calculations of this score.
You can order all three of these reports at once or at each one at a different time of the year.
Be sure to order them from a centralized agency.
If you go directly to the credit reporting agencies, you will be charged.
You are also always entitled to a free credit report if you have been denied a loan, insurance policy or job based on it.
If when you receive your reports you realize they are not that good and need improvement or if you are already experiencing credit troubles you may want to sign up with one of the services that watch your three credit reports for you and report back to you any activity on the reports.