How to Check a Credit Score Online
According to federal law, credit reporting agencies are required to make your credit report and score available to you free once a year so that you can check for errors. The three main credit reporting agencies have created a joint website on which you can request copies of your credit information online.
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Instructions
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Visit the AnnualCreditReport website (see Resources below). You will be asked to select your state of residence and click "Request Report" on the front page.
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Complete the website's questionnaire with your contact information and Social Security number. The site is secure and will protect your information.
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Verify your identity by answering AnnualCreditReport's questions about your credit history. If the website is unable to confirm your identity online, you may be asked to submit verification through the mail. AnnualCreditReport will allow you to select which credit report you would like to access at this point.
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Request your FICO score on the MyFICO website if your credit report does not include it (see Resources below). You must sign up for the 30-day trial of MyFICO's Score Watch product to check your score. This requires a credit card number.
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Cancel your trial version of Score Watch on the MyFICO website before the 30-day trial period expires if you do not wish to continue using the product.
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Tips & Warnings
You can also dispute your credit report online through each of the credit reporting agencies' websites. You should report any issues to the agency that issued the report. Each of the three agencies maintains a dispute submission website.
Not all credit reports will include your credit score. You may have to request it.
There may be differences between reports from different agencies. Many creditors report their accounts to only one of the three reporting agencies.
You are legally entitled to one copy of your credit report for free each year. If you request further copies, you will be charged a fee.
If you check your credit report too often you can actually lower your credit score. Ideally, you should space out your free credit reports over the course of the year to protect your score and give you a continuing view of your credit.
