How Can I Check My Credit Scores? | Equifax® (2024)

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Credit scores are how financial institutions assess your credit risk. Even though credit reports from the three nationwide credit bureaus don’t usually contain credit scores, there are other ways to check your score. [Duration - 1:01]

Highlights:

  • Credit reports from the three nationwide credit bureaus do not usually contain credit scores

  • You may be able to get a credit score from your credit card company, financial institution or loan statement

  • You can also use a credit score service or free credit scoring site

Many people think if you check your credit reports from the three nationwide credit bureaus, you’ll see credit scores as well. But that’s not the case: credit reports from the three nationwide credit bureaus do not usually contain credit scores. Before we talk about where you can get credit scores, there are a few things to know about credit scores, themselves.

One of the first things to know is that you don’t have only one credit score. Credit scores are designed to represent your credit risk, or the likelihood you will pay your bills on time. Credit scores are calculated based on a method using the content of your credit reports.

Score providers, such as the three nationwide credit bureaus -- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion -- and companies like FICO use different types of credit scoring models and may use different information to calculate credit scores. Credit scores provided by the three nationwide credit bureaus will also vary because some lenders may report information to all three, two or one, or none at all. And lenders and creditors may use additional information, other than credit scores, to decide whether to grant you credit.

So how can you getcredit scores? Here are a few ways:

  • Check your credit card, financial institution or loan statement. Many credit card companies, banks and loan companies have started providing credit scores for their customers. It may be on your statement, or you can access it online by logging into your account.
  • Purchase credit scores directly from one of the three major credit bureaus or other provider, such as FICO.
  • Use a credit score service or free credit scoring site. Some sites provide a free credit score to users. Others may provide credit scores to credit monitoring customers paying a monthly subscription fee.

In addition to checking your credit scores, it’s a good idea to regularly check your credit reports to ensure that the information is accurate and complete.

You’re entitled to a free copy of your credit reports every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. You can also create a myEquifax accountto get six free Equifax credit reports each year. In addition, you can click “Get my free credit score” on your myEquifax dashboard to enroll in Equifax Core Credit™ for a free monthly Equifax credit report and a free monthly VantageScore® 3.0 credit score, based on Equifax data. A VantageScore is one of many types of credit scores.

If you find information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete on your credit reports, contact the lender or creditor. You can alsofile a dispute with the credit bureau that provided the report. At Equifax, you can create a myEquifax accountto file a dispute. Visit our dispute page to learn other ways you can submit a dispute.

How Can I Check My Credit Scores? | Equifax® (1)

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FAQs

How can I check my real credit score for free? ›

You have the right to request one free copy of your credit report each year from each of the three major consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. You may also be able to view free reports more frequently online.

How can I check my credit score by myself? ›

How do I get my free credit report?
  1. Visit www.mycreditcheck.co.za.
  2. Register and submit your verification documents ( Id and Proof of residence not older than 3 months)
  3. If you are need more information, you can also chat with Ed our chatbot.

Is there a safe way to check my credit score? ›

Use a credit score service or free credit scoring site.

You're entitled to a free copy of your credit reports every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com.

How do I officially check my credit score? ›

Log on to the official CIBIL website and click on Know Your Score. Fill up the online form which asks for details such as name, date of birth, address, id proof, past loan history and other relevant data. On filling the form and accepting changes, you will be taken to the payments page.

What is the most accurate credit score? ›

The primary credit scoring models are FICO® and VantageScore®, and both are equally accurate. Although both are accurate, most lenders are looking at your FICO score when you apply for a loan.

Where is the best place to check your credit score? ›

You can start by going to the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion first by logging on to AnnualCreditReport.com to check your report for free. Each agency gives you access to your report once every 12 months.

Is Credit Karma safe? ›

Credit Karma goes the extra mile when it comes to the safe-keeping of our members' personal information. We use 128-bit or higher encryption to protect during the transmission of data to our site and encrypt data at rest. If we suspect any suspicious activity on your account then we'll alert you as soon as possible.

How accurate is your credit score on self? ›

The free score from Self is not calculated by FICO, so while it's not a false score, it's not the score that most lenders will use to judge whether or not you're credit worthy. The credit score that Self uses is VantageScore 3.0 credit score from Experian/CSID.

What is a good FICO score? ›

670-739

Do credit checks hurt your credit score? ›

In general, credit inquiries have a small impact on your FICO Scores. For most people, one additional credit inquiry will take less than five points off their FICO Scores. For perspective, the full range for FICO Scores is 300-850. Inquiries can have a greater impact if you have few accounts or a short credit history.

Can I check my own credit score without hurting it? ›

Good news: Credit scores aren't impacted by checking your own credit reports or credit scores. In fact, regularly checking your credit reports and credit scores is an important way to ensure your personal and account information is correct, and may help detect signs of potential identity theft.

Is it OK to check my credit score online? ›

In general, you can check your own credit score without harming it. Checking your credit score is an important part of monitoring your financial health. This is especially true if you're in the market for a new loan or other credit account.

Can I check my credit score for free? ›

By law, you can get a free credit report each year from the three credit reporting agencies (CRAs). These agencies include Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

How can I check my credit score without a hard check? ›

Many credit card issuers and banks provide free credit scores to their customers. Personally checking your credit score won't affect it. Nor will checking your own credit report. However, when you apply for credit, the lender will make a so-called hard inquiry, which can lower your score a bit.

Can you really check your credit for free? ›

By law, you can get a free credit report each year from the three credit reporting agencies (CRAs). These agencies include Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

How do I get a legit credit score? ›

Talk to a credit or housing counselor. Find a credit score service. Buy your score from one of the three major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion.

Which app shows your real credit score? ›

With myFICO, you can view and monitor your FICO Scores and credit reports right from your fingertips. You'll get alerts on your iOS device when changes are detected.

Who shows my real credit score? ›

The first step you can take towards finding your FICO Score is by checking with your bank or credit union. Hundreds of banks and credit unions partner with FICO through its Open Access Program. If your bank or credit union partners with FICO, log in to your account online.

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