Your credit score can control a lot—what loans you qualify for, the credit cards that are available to you, etc. To keep on top of it all, it’s important to check your credit score.
The Difference Between Your Credit Score and Credit Report
Your credit report is a detailed document about your credit history.Your credit score is a three-digit number, typically between 300 and 850, that’s calculated based on all the information in your credit report.
How Often Can You Check Your Credit Score for Free?
Usually, the reports are available once every year. Which means you could get a look at your credit information every four months by spreading out your requests for each of the bureaus.
- Keeping a regular eye on your credit report helps you identify inaccurate negative items that might be dragging down your score.- Checking your credit report regularly helps you see whether suspicious activity is occurring, which can indicate that you’re a victim of identity theft or fraud.
You might have access to your credit score via your credit card provider. If this is a benefit you get as a card holder, you can typically see the score by logging into your credit card account online or via a mobile app.