These are tough times, and you may be one of the many people asking, "How can I find out my credit score?" And more importantly, asking, "How can I find out my credit score for free?" Can you really get free credit scores with no credit card required? The answer is yes, and I'd like to talk about how to do that and what to expect.
Where to Get a Copy of Your Credit Report
Your credit report and credit score, though related, are not the same thing. Your credit report is shows the history of your financial transactions. The score itself is the three digit calculation based on your credit history.
Your credit score is a mathematical calculation determined by a number of different factors. The credit score itself is a three digit number running roughly between 300 to 850 and is important because it plays a key role in determining your credit worthiness and whether or not financial instituions and businesses will lend to you.
Where to get a free credit report–Federal law requires the three credit bureaus to provide you with a free credit report once every 12 months on request. The three major agencies are Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. To get a free report, you simply need to contact the agencies and submit your request. You can do this online or over the phone. Here is how to do it:
To order your free report, visit annualcreditreport.com, call 1-877-322-8228, or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. The form is on the back of this brochure; or you can print it from ftc.gov/credit. Do not contact the three nationwide consumer reporting companies individually. They are providing free annual credit reports only through annualcreditreport.com, 1-877-322-8228, and Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
How Can I Find Out My Credit Score for Free?
Getting a free credit score is a little different. Financial institutions are not required to provide a free credit score, and that is why it can appear difficult to get a free credit score.
According to fdic.gov, "…the credit bureau may charge you a "reasonable fee," which will be determined by the FTC." You are legally entitled to be given your credit score for free if you are applying for a loan that is connected to home ownership. Again, according to fdic.gov, "The loan application must relate to a home loan and it must be for specified consumer purposes." Under these circumstances you can get a free credit score, but otherwise, there are really no specific Federal regualtions requiring that you be given a score for free.
One way to get a free score that does not involve consumer loans, is to use the free trials offered by Some reputable credit repair businesses. I'm not suggesting that you rip the companies off. The point of such businesses is to help improve your credit score. The free credit score is offered as an inducement to try their service. If you accept the free trial but do not care to continue after the trial period, then you must take the initiative to cancel the service before your credit card is billed. Be sure to read the terms of service of the free trial agreement so that you know exactly what you are getting and what your obligations are. But you can get a free credit score in this manner.
Run Your Credit Report Free of Charge BY CLICKING THIS LINK