Check Your Credit Report for Free

Welcome to Day 4 of March Money Moves: Elevate Your Credit in 30 Days! In today’s blog, we’re focusing on free credit scores—where to find them, how they work, and why checking your score won’t hurt your credit.

What is a Credit Score?

A credit score is a three-digit number that represents your creditworthiness. Lenders use it to decide whether to approve you for loans, credit cards, and even mortgages. The most common credit scoring models are FICO Score and VantageScore, both of which range from 300 to 850.

Where to Find Your Credit Score

Many people think they need to pay to check their credit score, but that’s not true! There are several trusted sources where you can get your score at no cost.

1. Your Credit Card Issuer

Many major credit card companies provide free credit score access to their customers. If you have a card with:

Discover (Credit Scorecard – FICO Score)
Capital One (CreditWise – VantageScore)
Chase (Credit Journey – VantageScore)
American Express (MyCredit Guide – VantageScore)

Check your online banking portal or mobile app to see if your score is available.

2. Free Credit Monitoring Websites

Websites like Credit Karma, Credit Sesame, and NerdWallet offer free VantageScores. While these scores may not be identical to the FICO Score that lenders use, they give you a good idea of your overall credit health.

3. Banks and Credit Unions

Some banks, including Wells Fargo and Bank of America, offer free FICO or VantageScores to their customers. Check with your bank to see if they provide this service.

4. Experian Free Score

Experian allows you to check your FICO Score 8 for free when you sign up for their basic credit monitoring service. Unlike other platforms that show VantageScores, Experian’s free service provides the same FICO Score that many lenders use.

5. Government-Backed Resource (AnnualCreditReport.com)

While AnnualCreditReport.com provides free access to your full credit report from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, it does not include a free credit score. However, reviewing your report is essential for spotting errors that could impact your score.

Will Checking My Credit Score Hurt My Credit?

A common myth is that checking your own credit score will lower it. The truth is, checking your own score is a soft inquiry, which means it has no impact on your credit.

There are two types of inquiries:

Soft Inquiries (No Impact on Your Score): Checking your own credit, pre-approval offers, employer background checks.
Hard Inquiries (May Lower Your Score): Applying for a loan, credit card, or mortgage.

Why Checking Your Credit Score Matters

Monitoring your credit score regularly helps you:

✔️ Identify areas to improve.

✔️ Spot errors or fraudulent activity early.

✔️ Track your progress toward your financial goals.

✔️ Prepare for major purchases like a home or car.

Now that you know how to check your score for free, it’s time to set a credit score goal! Stay tuned for Day 5, where we’ll discuss how to set realistic credit score goals and create a plan to achieve them.

Have you checked your credit score recently? Drop a comment below and share where you found it for free.

FTC Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored video or article. All opinions are genuinely my own. This post also contains affiliate links and I earn a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. It does not cost you any extra. Thank you for your continued support to keep the Bri Callis Blog going!