How to Check Your Credit Score for Free (Without a Scam)
Your credit score is free to check — but dozens of fake sites try to charge you for it. Here are the only legitimate free sources.
At a Glance
Get your free annual credit report
~26sWarning
AnnualCreditReport.com is the only site federally authorized to provide free reports. Other sites with "free" in the name often require a credit card and sign you up for paid monthly services.
Check your score through your bank
~16sUse Credit Karma for ongoing monitoring
~18sReview your credit report for errors
~26sQuick Tip
Quick Tip: Common errors include payments incorrectly marked late, accounts that were paid off but still show a balance, and old negative items that should have expired (most negative items fall off after 7 years).
Dispute errors on your credit report
~15sYou Did It!
You've finished reading: How to Check Your Credit Score for Free (Without a Scam)
How well did this guide stick with you?
Need more help? Book a TekSure tech
Your credit score is a 3-digit number (usually ranging from 300 to 850) that lenders use to decide whether to approve you for a loan, credit card, or apartment rental, and at what interest rate. A higher number means lower risk in the lender's eyes. Scores above 700 are generally considered good. Above 750 is excellent.
Checking your own credit score does not hurt your score — this is called a "soft inquiry" and has no effect. Only hard inquiries (when a lender checks your credit because you applied for something) can temporarily lower your score by a small amount.
By federal law, you are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) once per year. The only official government-authorized site for these free reports is AnnualCreditReport.com — notice there is no "www.free" in front of it and no number in the name. Beware of look-alike names.
Beyond the annual report, several free services provide ongoing credit score monitoring: Credit Karma (creditkarma.com) shows your TransUnion and Equifax scores, and it is genuinely free. Many banks now include a free credit score in their app or website — check under your account dashboard.
The full credit report (which is different from the score) shows every account you have ever had, your payment history, and any derogatory marks like late payments or collections. Reviewing it once a year helps you catch errors and identity theft.
(Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-score-en-315)
Rate this guide
How helpful was this guide?
Still stuck? Let a pro handle it.
A real person can walk you through this over the phone, anywhere in the US. If we can't fix it, you don't pay.
Related Guides
How to Set Up Online Banking for the First Time
Setting up online banking lets you check your balance, pay bills, and transfer money from home.
5 min read
How to Deposit a Check with Your Phone Using Mobile Check Deposit
Mobile check deposit lets you add a check to your bank account by taking a photo with your phone.
5 min read
How to Keep Your Bank App and Online Account Safe
Your bank app holds sensitive financial information. These practical steps help you protect your account from fraud, phishing, and unauthorized access.
5 min read