Some sites that advertise a free credit report bill you later, and the CFPB says so.
Here is how to check your credit score for free in the US without handing over a card number: which sources are free, what each one actually gives you, and why two sites show two different numbers.
Straight answer: Your free credit reports come from AnnualCreditReport.com, the official source, which Experian says offers them weekly but with no score. For a score, use a free Experian account (FICO Score 8), your bank or card issuer’s app, or Equifax’s free tier (VantageScore 3.0). Checking your own score is a soft inquiry and doesn’t lower it.
Once you have your number, the free AI Credit Score Roadmap turns it into a plan. If you also owe money, start with our complete guide to paying off debt.
Report or score? They aren’t the same
Experian explains it this way: a credit report is the detailed record of your credit information, and a score is a three-digit number calculated from your reports (Experian). Free reports are a separate product from free scores. Pull both.
Where to get each one, free
| Source | What you get | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| AnnualCreditReport.com | Reports, no score | Free |
| Experian account | Report + FICO Score 8 | Free |
| Equifax Core Credit | VantageScore 3.0, monthly | Free |
| Bank or card issuer app | FICO or VantageScore | Often free to customers |
| Nonprofit credit counselor | Help checking your score | Free consultation |
Per Experian’s page. Equifax alerts and report locking need a paid plan, and TransUnion’s score comes with a paid monitoring plan. Check current terms.
The weekly access to reports was introduced at the start of the pandemic, and the three bureaus have since made it permanent, per their industry group (CDIA). The CFPB reminds you to use the official site only (CFPB).
Why the numbers don’t match
Two sites can look at the same person and give two scores. Experian says its free account uses FICO Score 8 and Equifax uses VantageScore 3.0. Add the fact that most scores only consider one of your reports, and a gap between sites is normal. Pick one source and track it over time rather than hopping between them. The range is the same story: myFICO’s bands are poor below 580, fair 580 to 669, good 670 to 739, very good 740 to 799 and exceptional 800 and above (myFICO). More in what is a good credit score in the US.
What to do with it
- Read the report behind the score and look for anything wrong. Here is how to dispute it.
- Check your balances against your limits with the credit utilization calculator.
- Pick the fix that fits your situation in how to improve your credit score.
When you can get extra free reports, and a free score
Under federal law you can also get a free report from a bureau if a lender turns you down or raises your rate because of your credit. The lender must send you a notice saying so, and you generally have 60 days to ask for the report. The same applies if you are unemployed and about to apply for jobs, if you receive public assistance, or if you suspect fraud. That notice is also the lender telling you which bureau they used, so you know where to look first.
Banking history is held separately. Agencies such as ChexSystems keep their own files on checking accounts, and you can ask them for a free copy too.
Questions people ask at 2am
Will checking my own score hurt it?
No. Experian calls checking your own score a soft inquiry and says it won’t lower your scores (Experian). Applying for credit is different, because a lender’s check can be a hard inquiry.
Why is my score different on every site?
Because they may be different scores. Experian says its free account shows a FICO Score 8, Equifax’s free product shows a VantageScore 3.0, and card issuers can use either. It also notes most scores only consider information from one of your three reports (Experian). A gap between two sites is not an error.
Is the report free but not the score?
Yes, that’s the usual split. Experian says AnnualCreditReport.com offers free reports but no score access (Experian). Scores come from your bank or card issuer, or from a free account such as Experian’s.
Is this site really official?
The CFPB names AnnualCreditReport.com as the official source and warns that some sites advertising free reports require purchases or bill you later (CFPB). If a page asks for a card number for a free report, stop.
What if my score looks wrong?
Look at the report behind it first. If you find a mistake, here is how to dispute errors on your credit report.
I live in the UK. Is this the same?
No. The UK uses different agencies and rules. Read our UK guide to checking your credit score for free instead.
A lender turned me down. Can I see why?
Yes. They must tell you if your credit report played a part, and name the bureau. You can then request that bureau’s report for free, usually within 60 days of the notice.
Do I need to pay to see my credit report?
No. AnnualCreditReport.com is the official source and the reports are free. Say no to any offer to pay for a score or monitoring unless you actually want it.
Disclaimer: DebtShift is an educational platform operated by H Ali Logistics Ltd. This article is general education, not financial or legal advice. For free, nonprofit credit counseling, contact the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) at nfcc.org or 877-360-6322.
Sources
- Experian, How do I check my credit score?
- CFPB, How do I get a free copy of my credit reports?
- CDIA, Permanent extension of free weekly credit reports
- myFICO, Credit scores
Products, prices and score models change, so check each provider before signing up.
Last reviewed October 2026
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