If you want your free credit score, you have many options. First, understand that there are three major credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian). They have to release a credit report to you for free once a year if you ask for one. That’s sweet because if you simply write to each company and make the request ( but space out your requests every 4 months) you’ll have a constant update on what’s happening with your credit.
Neal’s Notes: While you’re at it, get your spouse or fiancee to order his credit report too and share it. If there is a hidden problem, the report will probably show it and it’s far better to deal with such a situation ASAP. The last thing you want is to be dragged down by their credit baggage without even knowing about it.
Keep in mind that getting your credit report isn’t the same as getting your credit score. These reports just show activity. The credit score is the numerical summary of how credit worthy these companies think you are. Having your credit report without getting the credit score isn’t much value.
Once you get your score, here is what it means:
Source: What is a Good Credit Score Range?
You can see how important it is to know your credit score. You can bet that your employer and creditors are looking. Shouldn’t you have the same advantage they have? Of course you should…especially when y0u can get your credit score for free. A good credit score will save you money and help you get a much better job with more pay.
Yes. Knowing your credit score is important information for just about every major financial move you make. Employers look at your credit score. So do bankers and people who you want buy or rent property from. That’s why it’s so important to know your score and to do everything you can to improve it. Obviously, you can’t work on it until you know what your number is. Here’s how to get your credit score.
Free Credit Score Made Easy
One way to get your credit score is to enroll in a credit monitoring trial. Get your scores and if you like the service, keep going. If you cancel the service before the end of the trial offer, you won’t pay anything but you’ll still have your score. You can sign up to get your free credit scores from each of the three main reporting agencies with GoFreeCredit.com This company offers free instant access with a 7-day free trial to monitor your credit.
But you have other options as well. If you don’t want to bother with trials, you can get your credit report for free using CreditSesame.com. They offer a cool service that gives you free credit scores and monitors your credit every month. They will ask you for your Social Security number in order to pull your credit.
Credit Karma is another company that will provide you with your credit score with no hidden fees, no credit card and no trial subscription. Again, in order to use this service, you’ll have to provide some personal information.
If your not comfortable with that, go with Go Free Credit. They don’t ask for your Social Security Number but they do ask you to sign up for the free trial (which you can cancel anytime).
One-Time Fee Options
Don’t feel like signing up for a free trial? No problem. You can get your FICO score from Equifax for a one-time fee of only $15.95.
Free Credit Score No Credit Card Required
Free Credit Score Option From the Credit Reporting Agencies
If you prefer, you can go straight to the source for a freebie. You sign up for a 30-day free credit monitoring trial offer from Equifax and you’ll get your Equifax score, credit monitoring on all 3 bureaus and up to $1 million in identity theft coverage. Not a bad deal considering all the grief this service could save you.
Other Free Ways To Get Your Credit Score
When ever you apply for credit, for a job or for financing (think car loans, mortgages or renting property) somebody runs your credit file. Just tell them they can run the report as long as they give you a copy of the score. It’s no skin off their nose and you get yourself a free credit score. Nice.