Credit history term may be new to developing nations but not to western and some Asian countries where every individual consumer is worried about their credit history. Credit history is a window to lenders, banks and credit card companies to get information on consumers such as their credit risk, buying power, past history related to buying/selling and any negative remarks reported against them. Lenders and banks evaluate each individual based on their credit history before giving loan or offering credit cards.
In America when you apply for house loan or car loan lenders will verify your information with credit bureaus. Each time you make big purchase such as car or house lenders will pass your information to credit bureaus. This is how credit bureaus accumulate consumer history. These credit bureaus have tie up with lenders, banks, credit card companies, utility companies, collection agencies and other businesses. Through these business outlets credit reporting agencies accumulate consumer information. Any time you apply for credit card / Debit card or apply for mortgage loan, business and lenders will check your credit risk with these credit reporting agencies.
Annual credit report provides free credit report once a year from major credit bureaus and consumers can check information reported against their name. Any disputed information should be reported quickly to credit bureaus with facts.