How to Get a Copy of My Credit Score
Obtaining a copy of your credit score will help determine where you stand among the credit scoring range from 450-850, with 450 being poor and 850 being excellent. Checking your credit scores regularly may also alert you to any major changes within your credit report, such as new accounts, delinquent payments, high credit card balances and other activities that impact scores. The following basic steps show how to get your credit scores.
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Instructions
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How to Get a Copy of My Credit Score
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Go online and research companies offering credit reports with credit scores included. You can go to the websites of the three credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, or you can approach a company that merges the three reports and scores in one file.
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Pay for the scored credit reports using your credit card. Make sure the site is secure with an "https://" prefix to the website.
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Purchase your scored report and download or print immediately.
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Tips & Warnings
According to The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Fair Credit Reporting Act, individuals are entitled to one free credit report from each of the bureaus every 12 months. Understand however, that these are only for credit reports that detail credit activity, and do not include credit scores. Oftentimes obtaining actual credit scores with credit reports requires an additional fee, which can range from $5-$18.
Another way of obtaining a regular credit score is by enrolling in a credit monitoring service. There are many credit watchdog companies online that will alert you to new activity or inquiries on your credit report in efforts to prevent ID theft. Oftentimes by signing up an introductory free 3-in-1 credit report which includes credit scores is provided.
Equifax's score is also known as the "beacon" score. TransUnion's score is also known as the "FICO" score. You may find these words used interchangeably when shopping for a 3-in-1 credit score.
If in the process of applying for a mortgage, auto or new insurance policy, ask for the credit score the company used in determining your credit worthiness. In some cases the company may even provide you with a free scored report. Be advised that some companies use different approximate score ranges of 400-900 or 500-800. 680-720 is the national average, with anything above 720 considered very good. Scores above 760 are excellent.
Credit reports with scores included are often not free. Read the fine print. Before giving you access to your credit scores, most companies will require a payment and/or signing up for a regular credit monitoring service with monthly fees.
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