Credit Score vs Credit Report
Credit Score
A three-digit number (300-850) summarizing your creditworthiness. Higher is better. Used for quick lending decisions.
Credit Report
A detailed record of your credit history - accounts, balances, payment history, and inquiries. The score is calculated from this data.
You need to check both regularly. The score tells you where you stand; the report shows why.
Free Credit Score Sources
Your Bank or Credit Card
Most major banks and credit card issuers now offer free credit scores through their apps:
- Discover - Free FICO score (even non-customers)
- Chase - Free VantageScore
- Capital One - Free VantageScore
- Bank of America - Free FICO score
- American Express - Free FICO score
Free Credit Monitoring Sites
- Credit Karma: Free VantageScore from TransUnion and Equifax
- Credit Sesame: Free VantageScore from TransUnion
- NerdWallet: Free VantageScore from TransUnion
- WalletHub: Free VantageScore from TransUnion
These sites make money from recommendations, not from you.
Free Credit Reports
AnnualCreditReport.com
The only official site for free credit reports. You're entitled to one free report from each bureau (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) per year.
Pro tip: Spread them out - check one bureau every four months for year-round monitoring.
Will Checking Hurt My Score?
No. Checking your own credit is a "soft inquiry" and has zero impact on your score. Only "hard inquiries" from lenders affect your score (and even then, minimally).
Check your score as often as you like - it's encouraged, not penalized.
FICO vs VantageScore
You'll see two main score types:
- FICO Score: Used by 90% of lenders. The score that matters most.
- VantageScore: Created by credit bureaus. Similar range but may differ from FICO.
Both use 300-850 ranges and similar factors. A 750 in one will be close to 750 in the other. Don't stress about minor differences.
How Often to Check
- Credit score: Monthly (it's free and easy)
- Credit report: At least once per year from each bureau
- Before major applications: Check 3-6 months before applying for mortgages, auto loans, or apartments
- After suspicious activity: Immediately if you suspect fraud
What to Look For
- Accounts you don't recognize
- Incorrect personal information
- Late payments that were actually on time
- Accounts showing wrong balances
- Hard inquiries you didn't authorize
- Collections accounts (especially errors)
If you find errors, dispute them directly with the credit bureau. They must investigate within 30 days.
Understand Your Score
Learn what factors affect your credit and how to improve it.
Credit Score Guide