[fdsasdasdf]

So I'm learning about credit and such and I just got to the point where I actually have a credit report now.

Out of curiosity, I used my once-a-year free credit report. I wanted to find out my FICO score, but I just learned that a credit report doesn't actually contain a FICO score. It just pretty much told me everything that I already know. If I wanted to know my score, I would have to pay something like $8 per to get all three. Lame.

For the future, is there any way I can get my FICO score without actually paying anything for them? Are there any trusted third-party people who provide that as part of a trial or something but I can cancel it before they actually charge me?

[lambtron]

Here you go, this link has a bunch of different website suggestions that will give you some free and some paid websites, and ones to avoid:

http://www.moneybluebook.com/how-to-...credit-offers/

I use www.myfico.com personally

[ZJP]

I've been using freecreditreport.com for over a year; It's nice because I can do a soft inquiry on my report whenever I feel like it without getting charged each time. I think I paid like a $27 one time free and I have access to all 3 bureau's.

[Nifty]

I signed up on freecreditreport.com signed up for the free service, got my score and then cancelled. Didn't cost me anything.

[Hawkeye]

You can get one report from all three for free each year. Check this out.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/cons...dit/cre34.shtm

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months...

You have to use www.annualcreditreport.com It is the only one backed by the government.

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by ZJP

I've been using freecreditreport.com for over a year; It's nice because I can do a soft inquiry on my report whenever I feel like it without getting charged each time. I think I paid like a $27 one time free and I have access to all 3 bureau's.

Be careful of this though, if you check it too often it can actually lower your credit score. It makes it look like you are constantly looking/applying for loans.

[fdsasdasdf]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

You can get one report from all three for free each year. Check this out.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/cons...dit/cre34.shtm



You have to use www.annualcreditreport.com It is the only one backed by the government.

Yeah, that's what I used. Turns out Experian, Equifax, and Transunion supply the FICO score for a fee, but they give me my credit report for free.

[lambtron]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Be careful of this though, if you check it too often it can actually lower your credit score. It makes it look like you are constantly looking/applying for loans.

Doesn't it only really affect your score negatively if you have a lot of hard inquiries?

[ZJP]

Originally Posted by lambtron

Doesn't it only really affect your score negatively if you have a lot of hard inquiries?

This is correct. ^

When you apply for credit, whether it's a mortgage or refinance, car loan, credit cards, or any of a number of applications for financing, this creates what is knows as a hard inquiry and this will lower your score slightly. Checking your own credit score is considered a soft inquiry and will not affect your score whatsoever.

[PGARP]

CreditKarma.com gives you a completely free credit score that is a pretty close ballpark. There is no charge or recurring charge for this, they just try to sell you things while you are on the site.

A credit monitoring service will give you access to your all three of your credit reports and scores every month. It is often worth the money if you are trying to repair your credit or about to buy a home or car.