Credit Score Apps
Track credit free. Catch identity theft.
Credit Karma — most popular
- 100% free — no credit card required.
- Get TransUnion + Equifax scores.
- Updated weekly.
- Shows credit factors + how to improve.
- Identity monitoring included free.
- Owned by Intuit (TurboTax).
Experian app
- Free FICO score from Experian.
- The score most lenders use.
- Boost feature — adds rent/utility to history.
- Identity protection scan.
- Premium ($25/month) optional.
- Free version sufficient for most.
Bank app credit scores
- Many banks include free FICO score.
- Chase + BofA + Wells Fargo + Citi.
- Updated monthly.
- Shown in app under Credit Journey or similar.
- No need to install separate app.
- Convenient + already trusted.
Why monitor credit?
- Catch identity theft fast.
- New account opened in your name = alert.
- Credit score drops if fraud occurred.
- Know score before applying for cards/loans.
- Build credit even in retirement.
- Improve score with paid-off debt.
Free annual credit reports
- AnnualCreditReport.com — official site.
- Free reports from all 3 bureaus.
- Now weekly free reports until further notice.
- Different from credit SCORE — full report.
- Look for accounts you don't recognize.
- Dispute errors found.
Senior considerations
- Higher identity theft risk after retirement.
- Freeze credit if not applying for new credit.
- Equifax + Experian + TransUnion freezes are free.
- Unfreeze temporarily when applying.
- Monitor for new accounts from medical fraud.
- Notify Social Security if identity stolen.
Credit Karma + freeze your credit
Two actions this week: download Credit Karma free for monitoring, and freeze your credit at all 3 bureaus (free) if you're not opening new accounts. Frozen credit prevents identity thieves from opening accounts in your name. Unfreeze temporarily only when you're applying for credit. Most seniors should keep credit frozen as default state.