Your credit score is one of the most important numbers to know in today’s world. It can determine everything from the interest rate or credit limit on a loan to the likelihood of being approved for a mortgage. That’s why it’s important to understand how to check your credit score safely. Doing so will help you protect your financial future, as well as your identity. In this article, we will discuss the best ways to safely check your credit score.
What is a Credit Score?
A credit score is a three-digit number that indicates the level of risk for lending money or extending credit to an individual. It is based on information in an individual’s credit report, which is compiled by credit reporting agencies. The three major credit reporting agencies are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The credit score range is 300 to 850, with higher scores indicating a lower risk.
1. Review Your Credit Report
The first step in safely checking your credit score is to review your credit report. A credit report is a detailed record of your credit history, including all the credit accounts you have opened and closed, payment history, current balances, and any inquiries made to your report. You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies once a year. You can get your free annual credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com.
2. Monitor Your Credit
Once you have reviewed your credit report, the next step is to monitor your credit. This can be done by signing up for a credit monitoring service. These services will alert you to any changes to your credit report, such as new accounts or inquiries. This can help you identify any suspicious activity, such as identity theft or fraud.
3. Use a Secure Website
When checking your credit score, it’s important to use a secure website. This means that the website should use encryption to protect your personal and financial information. You can usually tell if a website is secure by looking for the “https” in the URL, as well as a padlock icon.
4. Use a Credit Score Service
Finally, you can use a credit score service to check your score. There are many services available, such as Credit Karma, Experian Boost, and Credit Sesame. These services offer free credit scores and reports, as well as other features such as credit monitoring and identity theft protection.
Final Thoughts
Your credit score is one of the most important numbers to know in today’s world. It’s important to understand how to check your credit score safely in order to protect your financial future and identity. The best ways to safely check your credit score are to review your credit report, monitor your credit, use a secure website, and use a credit score service. By following these steps, you can ensure that your credit score is accurate and up to date.
