How to check your credit scores - Intuit Credit Karma (2024)

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If you want to check your credit scores, there are four main options — consumer credit bureaus, lenders or credit card issuers, credit score services and nonprofit credit counselors.

Some companies provide scores for free while others charge a fee. These companies may provide one or more of your credit scores, across credit-scoring models. Either way, checking your credit scores is typically easy. In some cases, you may need to provide a few pieces of personal information, such as your name, date of birth, address and Social Security number to receive access to your scores. In other cases, the information may be readily available on your monthly loan or credit card statement or once you log into your online account.

Let’s take a look at why checking your credit scores is important and where you can go to find them.

How’s your credit?Check My Equifax® and TransUnion® Scores Now

  • Why you should check your credit scores
  • Where you can check your credit scores
  • How often should you check your credit scores?
  • What to look for when you check your credit scores

Why you should check your credit scores

Companies use your credit scores to make a number of decisions, including whether to approve you for loan applications, insurance premiums (in certain states), rental requests and, in some states, even employment applications. How high — or low — your scores are can influence everything from how much interest you’ll pay on your next loan to whether you get your dream job or apartment. That’s why it’s important to know how your scores stack up. And don’t worry — checking your scores is considered a soft credit inquiry, so your credit won’t be affected.

Why do I have different credit scores?

You have multiple credit scores, and they may not be the same. That’s because there’s more than one credit-scoring model, and different models have different scoring ranges. Plus, the criteria that’s used to generate your credit scores are weighed differently based on the scoring model being used. And some lenders may use different scores for different types of loans.

Where you can check your credit scores

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, U.S. consumers are entitled to receive one free credit report from each of the three major consumer credit bureaus every 12 months. But those reports don’t include free credit scores. To get your scores, you must request them separately. Here are four main places where you can get your credit scores.

  • Credit bureaus — You can get your scores from the three credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and Transunion, but you might be charged a fee.
  • Lenders — If you have a credit card or loan, your credit card company or lender may provide access to your credit scores on your monthly statement or through your online account.
  • Credit score service — Many websites provide credit scores for free. But some may offer you access to your scores in exchange for a monthly fee. Before you sign up, make sure to read the fine print.
  • Nonprofit counselors — If you’re working with a reputable credit counselor or HUD-approved housing counselor, they may offer you access to your credit scores.

Keep in mind that some credit score providers may give you access to your educational scores, which are different from the scores lenders use. Most educational scores are close to the scores used by lenders. But the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB, found “a meaningful difference” between the two types of scores for one out of four people. If you use a credit score service, make sure you understand what type of score you’re getting.

How’s your credit?Check My Equifax® and TransUnion® Scores Now

How often should you check your credit scores?

The CFPB recommends checking your credit reports at least once a year as well as if you’re …

  • Applying for a loan. Whether you want to buy a house, apply for a car loan or open a new credit card, it’s a good idea to check your credit scores before you submit your application. Your scores are one of the factors lenders consider when deciding whether to approve you for a loan and what interest rate you’ll be offered.
  • A victim of identity theft. If your identity’s been stolen or you’re a victim of fraud, it makes sense to check your credit scores regularly until the issue has been resolved. You may also want to consider freezing your credit, which can make it tougher for fraudsters to open new accounts in your name. A credit-monitoring service may also be able to help you keep an eye on your credit reports and notify you about any changes to your accounts.
  • Applying for a job. Depending on where you live, employers and landlords may be able to look at your credit history as part of the application process. If you plan to apply for a new job, make sure your credit scores are accurate.
  • Building credit. If you’re just starting out or rebuilding credit after a rough financial patch, checking your scores more often can help you track your progress.

What to look for when you check your credit scores

Small fluctuations in your credit scores from day to day are normal. Instead of focusing on whether your scores have moved up or down by a few points, pay attention to long-term trends and big changes that occur suddenly.

Long-term trends can help you identify positive habits you want to continue and negative ones you want to modify. Sudden changes that you can’t explain based on recent activity, such as multiple late payments in your payment history, could be a sign that you’ve been a victim of identity theft or fraud. If you notice unusual changes in your scores, it’s important to find out what’s going on and take steps to dispute inaccuracies or file a report for identity theft right away.

Next steps

Because your credit scores are generated based on information included in your credit reports, it’s important to monitor your credit reports as well as your scores. You can start by getting a copy of your free annual credit report at annualcreditreport.com. Review your reports carefully to ensure all the information is accurate. If you find information that’s not correct, work to resolve it as soon as possible.

You can find out what your credit scores are by using one of the services we mentioned earlier. To get a better understanding of what your scores mean and how lenders may view your credit, check out our article on credit score ranges. If your scores need some work, our guide to building credit has some suggestions that might help.

How’s your credit?Check My Equifax® and TransUnion® Scores Now

About the author: Jennifer Brozic is a freelance financial services writer with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in communication management from Towson University. She’s committed… Read more.

How to check your credit scores - Intuit Credit Karma (2024)

FAQs

Is intuit Credit Karma legit? ›

It's true. And for most people, that's too many credit scores to keep track of. So, Credit Karma makes it easy for you. We sift through the paperwork and provide you with your real TransUnion® and Equifax® credit reports, as well as their corresponding VantageScore 3.0 scores.

Is the Credit Karma credit score accurate? ›

Credit Karma uses two of the three major credit bureaus and scores your creditworthiness according to the widely used (but not quite as widely used as FICO) VantageScore system. Your score should be within the same range as it is everywhere else, including with the major credit bureaus and its many competitors.

How can I find out my exact credit score? ›

There are a few main ways to get your credit scores.
  1. Check your credit card or other loan statement. Many major credit card companies and other lenders provide credit scores for their customers. ...
  2. Talk to a nonprofit counselor. ...
  3. Use a credit score service.
Oct 19, 2023

What is the difference between Credit Karma and Intuit Credit Karma? ›

Credit Karma is part of the Intuit group of companies alongside Quickbooks, Mailchimp and Turbotax. Credit Karma has a distinct brand, culture and autonomy, led by Founder and CEO Ken Lin, as an independent Intuit entity.

Does Intuit lower your credit score? ›

Checking your free credit scores on Credit Karma doesn't hurt your credit. These credit score checks are known as soft inquiries, which don't affect your credit at all. Hard inquiries (also known as “hard pulls”) generally happen when a lender checks your credit while reviewing your application for a financial product.

How far off is your credit score from Credit Karma? ›

But, just how accurate are Credit Karma scores? They may differ by 20 to 25 points, and in some cases even more. When Credit Karma users see their credit score details, they are viewing a VantageScore, not the FICO score that the majority of lenders use.

What number is a good credit score Credit Karma? ›

A credit score of 600 or below is generally considered to be a bad credit score. And if your credit is low, you may qualify for a loan but the terms and rates may not be favorable. Credit scores between 601 and 669 are considered fair credit scores.

Is 700 a good credit score? ›

For a score with a range between 300 and 850, a credit score of 700 or above is generally considered good. A score of 800 or above on the same range is considered to be excellent. Most consumers have credit scores that fall between 600 and 750. In 2023, the average FICO® Score in the U.S. reached 715.

Why is my FICO score so much higher than Credit Karma? ›

Why is my FICO® score different from my credit score? Your FICO Score is a credit score. But if your FICO score is different from another of your credit scores, it may be that the score you're viewing was calculated using one of the other scoring models that exist.

How many points is Credit Karma usually off? ›

However, its accuracy can vary based on several factors. Credit Karma uses VantageScore 3.0 from TransUnion and Equifax, which can differ from the FICO scores most lenders use. While it provides a useful estimate of your credit health, the scores on Credit Karma might be 20 to 25 points off from your actual FICO score.

Who has the most accurate credit score? ›

The primary credit scoring models are FICO® and VantageScore®, and both are equally accurate. Although both are accurate, most lenders are looking at your FICO score when you apply for a loan.

Who shows my real credit score? ›

The first step you can take towards finding your FICO Score is by checking with your bank or credit union. Hundreds of banks and credit unions partner with FICO through its Open Access Program. If your bank or credit union partners with FICO, log in to your account online.

Can I check my credit score without ruining it? ›

Checking your credit reports or credit scores will not impact credit scores. Regularly checking your credit reports and credit scores is a good way to ensure information is accurate. Hard inquiries in response to a credit application do impact credit scores.

How can I boost my credit score fast? ›

What actions you can take to boost your credit scores?
  1. Review your credit reports for errors and dispute any inaccuracies. ...
  2. Keep paying your bills on time. ...
  3. Improve your credit mix. ...
  4. Improve credit utilization. ...
  5. Read more.

How trustworthy is Intuit? ›

We keep a lookout. Not only do we protect the information you share with us, we also proactively search for scams and frauds that might impact our customers. Our security notices have regularly updated information about any fake Intuit emails and customer support scams, and tips on what to do if they target you.

Is Credit Karma tax owned by Intuit? ›

Credit Karma and TurboTax — both owned by parent company Intuit — offer a variety of tools and features that can help you manage your taxes and overall financial picture. Both companies can also help you access cash quickly during tax season. We'll review your options and how they work.

How much Intuit paid for Credit Karma? ›

Financial platform provider Intuit has agreed a $7.1 billion deal to acquire Credit Karma, the consumer technology platform with more than 100 million members in the US, Canada and the UK. The $7.1 billion consideration will take the form of cash and stock.

Is there a lawsuit against Intuit? ›

In 2022, Attorney General Bonta, as part of a coalition of 51 attorneys general and with the Los Angeles City Attorney and Santa Clara County Counsel, announced a $141 million settlement against Intuit, resolving allegations that the California-based company deceptively advertised its “free” online TurboTax products.

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