Your credit score affects many parts of your life. It can impact whether you qualify for a loan, what interest rate you pay, and even how much you pay for insurance. Employers, landlords, and lenders may all look at your score before deciding to work with you.
Because your score matters so much, it’s important to check it regularly. Monitoring your credit score helps you catch mistakes early, spot potential fraud, and see how everyday financial decisions actually show up on your credit file. Whether you have good credit or you’re working to improve it, checking your score often is a smart financial habit.
There are multiple ways to check your credit score. You might:
Most of these options are free, widely used, and already built into tools you may be using today. They typically provide periodic score updates and notify you when there’s a significant change, such as a new account, inquiry, or sudden drop.
Credit.org recommends that you use trusted, well-reviewed services. Be careful of apps or sites that ask for money without providing real value. Visit our blog for more tips on safe credit monitoring tools.
Your credit report is a summary of your credit history. It includes loans, credit cards, balances, payment history, and public records. All of this information feeds directly into how your credit score is calculated.
You can get a free copy of your credit report every year from each of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com to request your reports safely and securely.
We suggest checking one report at least every four months. That way, you can keep track of any changes throughout the year.
Your credit score is calculated based on five main factors:
FICO scores are the most widely used by lenders. You might also see VantageScore used in some cases. Although the scoring models differ slightly, they both rank your creditworthiness from 300 to 850.
Here are the current ranges according to our credit score guide:
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A credit bureau is a company that collects information about how you use credit and organizes it into a credit report. In the U.S., there are three nationwide credit bureaus:
Not every lender reports to all three credit bureaus. As a result, the information in your credit reports differs and you can even have different credit scores depending on which bureau you’re looking at. That’s normal, but it also means errors can show up in one report and not the others.
If you spot incorrect or outdated information, you have the legal right to dispute it and request a correction.
It’s also common for credit card issuers to report activity to only one or two bureaus. That’s why checking all three reports matters, especially before applying for a mortgage, auto loan, or new credit card.
Credit reporting agencies gather data from lenders, banks, credit card companies, and some utility providers. They compile that information into your personal credit file, which lenders use to evaluate risk.
The terms “credit bureau” and “credit reporting agency” are often used interchangeably, and in practice they mean the same thing: companies that collect, maintain, and distribute credit data.
You’re allowed to review your own free credit reports and challenge errors at no cost. If you want a clear explanation of your rights under federal law, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers plain-English guidance.
Credit score services make it easier to keep tabs on changes to your credit profile without pulling a full report every time. Most offer online dashboards or mobile apps that let you:
Update frequency varies. Some services refresh weekly, others monthly. Free options work well for many people, as long as you understand which bureau the score comes from and whether it’s a FICO score or another model.
Remember you likely have more than one credit score; if a report is based on your equifax credit report, it will be different from one based only on Transunion or Equifax. Try to avoid a service that only relies on one bureau and where there is a credit card required, as they may sneakily convert you to a paid subscription later.
Your credit health is broader than a single number. It reflects whether you pay bills on time, manage balances responsibly, and avoid relying too heavily on debt.
Strong credit health can mean better loan terms, lower interest rates, and more flexibility when you need financing.
To keep your credit on solid footing:
If debt is making it hard to improve your score, Credit.org’s credit counseling services can help you map out realistic next steps. And if you're checking your score in advance of a mortgage loan application, be sure to speak to one of our HUD approved housing counselors first.
Credit monitoring services alert you when something changes on your credit report, such as a new account, inquiry, or sudden score drop. That early warning can be critical if fraud or identity theft is involved.
Some tools also scan public records or data breaches for signs that your personal information may have been exposed.
For a government-run resource that explains how to respond to fraud, visit IdentityTheft.gov.
There are certain times when pulling your full credit report is especially important:
When reviewing a report, look for unfamiliar accounts, incorrect balances, or outdated information. The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you the right to dispute anything that’s inaccurate or incomplete.
Each time you apply for a credit card, mortgage, or personal loan, a hard inquiry is added to your credit file. Too many inquiries in a short period can weigh on your score.
Be selective with applications and focus on managing the accounts you already have. Keeping balances low and paying in full when possible does more for your credit than opening new accounts.
Many credit card companies now include free credit score access as a perk. If yours does, it’s worth using.
Checking your credit score regularly is a practical way to stay informed and avoid unpleasant surprises. It’s one of the simplest ways to stay informed and avoid unpleasant surprises. When you understand what’s in your credit file and how lenders interpret it, you’re in a better position to make deliberate financial decisions.
Need help reviewing your credit or disputing inaccurate items? Call Credit.org and talk to a trained credit counselor today. We’re here to help you stay informed and on the right path.
