Your credit score is a number assigned to you based on your history with money. Three companies gather data and create credit reports which are used to calculate your score: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian.
FICO Scores are calculated using many different pieces of credit data in your credit report. This data is grouped into five categories:
Get your free credit report at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action
Remember, the credit report does not include a credit score. The credit report includes information used to calculate your score.
Your credit score will have a significant impact on the rate you will pay when borrowing money.
Where can you get your credit score? There are several free sites including Credit Karma. Do not pay for your credit score or enter a credit card number. https://www.creditkarma.com/
Some credit cards will provide your credit score each month. (Read more about this in the section on credit cards.)