Where can I get my credit scores? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2024)

FAQs

What is the best website to check your credit score? ›

Credit Karma is one of the most popular sites in the free credit score market. Users get two free scores and reports, and the site offers additional calculators and educational tools.

You have the right to request one free copy of your credit report each year from each of the three major consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. You may also be able to view free reports more frequently online.

But before you pay for a report, always check to see if you can get a copy for free from AnnualCreditReport.com. To buy a copy of your report, contact the nationwide credit bureaus: Equifax: 1-800-685-1111; Equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services. Experian: 1-888-397-3742; Experian.com/help.

You can start by going to the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion first by logging on to AnnualCreditReport.com to check your report for free. Each agency gives you access to your report once every 12 months. 4 You'll have to pay them if you want your credit score.

Some common types of consumer credit are installment credit, non-installment credit, revolving credit, and open credit. Similarities of these types of credit are that they all have some form of a repayment period, interest rates, the possibility of interest charges, and monthly or lump sum payments.

AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site to get your free annual credit reports. This right is guaranteed by Federal law. You can verify this is the official site by visiting the CFPB's website. Don't be fooled by look-alike sites.

Experian Boost™

Anyone can view their free FICO Score with either service and there's no credit card required to register. Free FICO Score resources offered by card issuers and credit reporting companies typically provide you with updates to your credit score every 30 days.

Highlights: Most negative information generally stays on credit reports for 7 years. Bankruptcy stays on your Equifax credit report for 7 to 10 years, depending on the bankruptcy type. Closed accounts paid as agreed stay on your Equifax credit report for up to 10 years.

As soon as you use the 11-word phrase “please cease and desist all calls and contact with me immediately” to stop the harassment, call us for a free consultation about what you can do to resolve your debt problems for good.

What is a 623 letter? ›

A business uses a 623 credit dispute letter when all other attempts to remove dispute information have failed.

The bottom line

Even those who want access to your report can only ask for it if they have a legally permissible reason to do so. Both the credit reporting bureau and the person seeking access without a “permissible purpose” can be held liable if they breach the FCRA.

Of the three main credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), none is considered better than the others. A lender may rely on a report from one bureau or all three bureaus to make its decisions about approving a loan.

Experian vs. Credit Karma: Which is more accurate for your credit score? You may be surprised to know that the simple answer is that both are accurate. Read on to find out what's different between the two companies, how they get your credit score, and why you have more than one credit score to begin with.

A VantageScore is one of many types of credit scores. You can also get free credit reports annually from the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies (Equifax, TransUnion and Experian) at AnnualCreditReport.com.

The credit scores and credit reports you see on Credit Karma come directly from TransUnion and Equifax, two of the three major consumer credit bureaus. They should accurately reflect your credit information as reported by those bureaus — but they may not match other reports and scores out there.