Best Web Source for FICO score
 

So it seems as if every FICO website automatically signs you up for re-occurring monthly charges. I do not mind paying once up front to check this. But if possible avoid this trap. BTW, a while back I had something similar and ultimately had to go to the bank in person and sign a document to stop a monthly debit. Rediculous

PPT brain trust advice here. Thanks!

I just stop by my credit union and ask. A few taps on the keyboard later, they hand me a little slip of paper wtih the info on it.

Not a member yet for mine, have to work here a little longer............................so the question remains

annualcreditreport.com is the only source set up by the bureaus themselves to provide a free copy of your credit report once a year. You can pay extra to get your score there.

Just a follow-up on what id10t said.... you could go to your bank or credit union, and ask the manager if they have a one-time fee for doing that?

This. To get a score you pay $10, to just check your report, it is free. I do this about once a year.

G

My wife and I just went through this. You need to be careful about some of those free credit report sites. We found big differences between what they give you and what the real credit reporting agencies(Trans Union, Equifax...) give you. Our score from Equifax and the free credit report score was off by 35 points, real score being lower.

That probably would have happened anyway with annualcreditreport.com. There's no consistent program that everyone is using. Lenders seem to pull lower scores than individuals.

The FICO score is a number calculated by Fair Issac. I don't think you can get it off any other website and Fair Issac does not give it away. As others have said you can get your credit report from all three agencies: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax.

Yep, annualcreditreport.com is completely free to get your credit report from all three. You don't have to provide a credit card or anything like the other one that has TV commercials (how do you think they pay for those) and says that they are free.

I did it in Jan, and I think I paid Equifax $7.95 for a credit score (separate from credit report).

Curiosity just got the best of me, so I just "blew" 7.95 for an Equifax credit score :D

Though I've had my "credt" frozen at all three agencies for many years, and I'll lilkely never use credit again (other than a HELOC to purchase additional land), I've always periodically checked my "free" reports at all three. Everyone should take advantage of this service imo. Paying for the "score" is optional, but I've never known what mine was until just now..."825" ...I think I'm "good" :p

I've gotten so good at lending that I don't need to borrow :)
Jim

Yeah... but how's yer "credit score" :D? I've never understood the "I'm building up my credit score" mentality...but to each their own!

I watch my score closely. If you ever want to buy a home and can't pay cash, you can get a much better rate with outstanding credit. Even renting, if you come in with a score north of 800, landlords will bend over backwards to get you in the house, including being negotiable on the terms.

I am not worried about car loans or other consumer loans, but for housing the score remains important.

G

G, I hear what your saying, but I've never concerned myself with the actual score. IMO, do all the right things, and the number will take care of itself (like a lot of things in life)...it "is what it is" for a reason. In my case, back when I carried a mortgage..."credit score" score wouldn't have made a difference, and I've never heard of a LL using "credit scores", but that's just me. I do check credit reports for my tennants, but don't give a rip about their "scores" per se. Maybe it's different in CA, I dunno...

I should have been more clear. My main concern with my credit is identity theft. I check it on a regular basis to make sure nothing funny is going on. I do not pay to get a score, just check the entries. You are correct, if you just do what's considered normal and conservative in terms of your finances, you can't have a bad score. No matter what people tell you about having to take out loans to build your score. A credit card and a mortgage will suffice.

As far as a tenant goes, you can certainly go by a score. If it is 800 or more, it will be a no stories financial history. If you get into lower scores, you may want to check what the issue is and decide if it has an influence on how you project the tenant will be paying their rent.

G

Gotcha! One of the best things I've ever done was "freeze" my credit with each of the three agencies (cost $10 each back then, I think it's free now). No one is gonna do squat even with identity theft if one does that. I still check mine on occasion also since it's so easy...better safe than sorry.

ps: Freezing it also cuts down on "offers" showing up in your mailbox :)

Thanks all!

Having a good credit score is important. I can tell you from first-hand experience that it is possible to get below published rates with the right credit score and debt-to-income ratio.