A credit report offers a snapshot of your financial health in terms of debt management. And your credit score is like a grade for your credit report. Prospective lenders review your credit report and credit score before deciding whether to issue you credit, which can impact your ability to get assets such as a home, a credit card, and a car.
How to Get a Credit Score & Report for Free
Last Updated: January 8, 2024
2 min read
Key points about: checking your credit report and score for free
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Each credit reporting agency will provide you with one free credit report per year, which has increased to one free report per week through December 2023.
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You can request a free credit report online and access your report within minutes.
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Your bank or credit card company may provide your credit score for free.
Some websites may try to charge you for a credit report. Knowing how to check your credit report and score for free can help you stay on top of your report and hang on to your hard-earned cash.
Where to get your free credit report
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, consumers are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies every 12 months.
You can request your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. You can also get a weekly free credit report from each credit bureau, according to the FTC. Additionally, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, you can ask for a free credit report within 60 days of being denied credit.
Where to check your credit score for free
Many banks, credit card issuers, and loan companies offer free access to credit scores to their customers.
Did you know?
You should be able to check your online account, mobile app, or monthly statement to find your credit score. As a Discover® Cardmember, you can get your FICO® Credit Score, plus see important details that help make up your score for free.1
Free credit report vs credit score for free
A credit report and credit score are different but related. Your credit report lists your borrowing and repayment history. Your credit score translates that information into a three-digit score (often between 300 and 850). You can check your credit report without impacting your credit score.
Keep in mind that there isn’t just one credit report or score. Each credit reporting agency will score your credit history differently depending on the information in your credit report. Some creditors report to one agency and not the others.
Your score will likely fluctuate monthly based on several factors, like taking on more debt or paying off loans. Your credit score isn’t typically included in your credit report.
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- FICO® Credit Score Terms: Your FICO® Credit Score, key factors and other credit information are based on data from TransUnion® and may be different from other credit scores and other credit information provided by different bureaus. This information is intended for and only provided to Primary account holders who have an available score. See Discover.com/FICO about the availability of your score. Your score, key factors and other credit information are available on Discover.com. Customers will see up to a year of recent scores online. Discover and other lenders may use different inputs, such as FICO® Credit Scores, other credit scores and more information in credit decisions. This benefit may change or end in the future. FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries.
- Legal Disclaimer: This site is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice. The material on this site is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and does not indicate the availability of any Discover product or service. It does not guarantee that Discover offers or endorses a product or service. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional.