How to Check Your Credit Score: A Step-by-Step Guide
Check your credit score with these steps:
1. Choose a Reliable Source:
- Credit Reporting Agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion offer access for a fee.
- Online Financial Services: Credit Karma, NerdWallet, or Credit Sesame may offer free access.
- Banks and Credit Unions: Some provide free credit score access to their customers.
2. Provide Necessary Information:
- Full Name
- Social Security Number
- Date of Birth
- Address
- Additional identity verification questions
3. Understand Your Score:
- Different scoring models like FICO and VantageScore range from 300 to 850.
4. Check for Errors or Fraudulent Activity:
- Review the credit report for incorrect information or fraudulent activity.
- Contact the credit bureau to dispute any errors.
5. Regular Monitoring:
- Helps understand how financial behaviors affect the score.
- Detects potential issues early on.
6. Annual Credit Report Request Service:
- Obtain one free credit report annually from each major credit bureau through AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Does not include your credit score but provides detailed credit history.
Additional Ways to Check Your Credit Score:
- Credit Card Companies and Lenders
- Online Financial Services
- Credit Bureaus
- Non-Profit Credit Counselors
- Banks and Credit Unions
- FICO Score Services
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Variation in Scores: Different services and models may yield slightly different scores.
- Regular Monitoring: Helps understand financial behaviors and detects fraud.
- Impact on Credit: Checking your own credit score is a soft inquiry and does not impact your score.
Important Tip:
- A Free Annual Credit Report: In the U.S., you are entitled to one free credit report from each major credit bureau every 12 months.
