How do I check myFICO score without affecting it?

Asked by: Tyrique McLaughlin  |  Last update: September 6, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (41 votes)

Soft inquiries such as viewing your own credit report will not affect your FICO Score. Hard inquiries such as actively applying for a new credit card or mortgage will affect your score. Read below to see how much hard inquiries can affect your FICO Score.

How do I check myFICO score without lowering it?

You can check your credit score for free in several different ways without hurting it. The most common methods are through an annual free report, online credit monitoring services, and your credit card provider.

Can I check my credit rating without affecting it?

You won't have to pay a penny when you check your credit score with us. We also carry out a soft search which won't affect your credit rating.

Does using myFICO affect credit score?

No, when you check your own credit it does not hurt your credit score. myFICO is the consumer division of FICO ®, launched in 2001 to help consumers get their FICO ® Score directly from the people that make the FICO ® Score. We have an A+ rating from the BBB and our headquarters are in Bozeman, MT.

Is there a way to check myFICO score for free?

You can sign up for a free account on myFICO.com to access your monthly FICO score based on your Equifax credit report.

How to Determine Your FICO Score Without Paying for It Every Month

38 related questions found

Is myFICO the real FICO Score?

myFICO is a legitimate subscription credit monitoring service that helps Americans track their FICO® credit scores from the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — and provides limited identity monitoring, insurance, and restoration services.

Is AnnualCreditReport.com a legitimate website?

AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site to get your free annual credit reports. This right is guaranteed by Federal law. You can verify this is the official site by visiting the CFPB's website. Don't be fooled by look-alike sites.

Who gives the most accurate FICO Score?

Credit scores from the three main bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) are considered accurate. The accuracy of the scores depends on the accuracy of the information provided to them by lenders and creditors. You can check your credit report to ensure the information is accurate.

Is it worth paying for myFICO?

Yes, myFICO is good for financial planning but it's too pricey for robust identity theft protection.. There are some protections built into the product that directly relate to your credit score and keep you in good standing with the reporting bureaus, such as the credit analysis and credit reports.

Is it bad to have two hard inquiries within 30 days?

Hard Inquiries: These inquiries, triggered with your permission during loan or credit applications, have a temporary negative impact on your credit score. The impact is usually minimal, typically less than five points. However, multiple hard inquiries within a short period can cumulatively lower your score.

Is a 900 credit score possible?

What is the highest credit score possible? To start off: No, it's not possible to have a 900 credit score in the United States. In some countries that use other models, like Canada, people could have a score of 900. The current scoring models in the U.S. have a maximum of 850.

What 3 things can hurt your credit score without you knowing it?

5 Things That May Hurt Your Credit Scores
  • Highlights:
  • Making a late payment.
  • Having a high debt to credit utilization ratio.
  • Applying for a lot of credit at once.
  • Closing a credit card account.
  • Stopping your credit-related activities for an extended period.

Why is my Experian score so much higher than TransUnion?

Your credit reports from Experian, TransUnion and Equifax could have different information because creditors can choose which bureau(s) they want to report to, as well as what they report and when. As a result, the same scoring model could give you different credit scores based on each of your three credit reports.

How do I see my true FICO score?

Obtain a FICO Score from credit bureaus

The three major credit bureaus offer free credit reports, which include FICO Scores, allowing you to monitor your credit health at no cost. You can get a free FICO Score once a year directly from one of the three major bureaus: Equifax® Experian®

Why is my FICO 5 score lower than FICO 8?

Why Scores Differ Between Bureaus. Notably, scores can vary across the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This variation stems from each bureau possessing slightly different credit information about an individual, as not all lenders report to all three bureaus.

Does my FICO score go down when I check it?

Checking your own credit score is considered a soft inquiry and won't affect your credit scores. There are other types of soft inquiries that also don't affect your credit scores, and several types of hard inquiries that might.

What is the alternative to myFICO?

The top alternatives for myFICO credit-reporting tool are TransUnion with 63.12%, Oracle Credit Management with 17.95%, Creditsafe with 9.87% market share.

Does viewing your FICO Score lower it?

No, checking your own credit score does not lower it.

What is the riskiest FICO Score?

Credit score ranges—what are they?
  • 800 to 850: Excellent Credit Score. Individuals in this range are considered to be low-risk borrowers. ...
  • 740 to 799: Very Good Credit Score. ...
  • 670 to 739: Good Credit Score. ...
  • 580 to 669: Fair Credit Score. ...
  • 300 to 579: Poor Credit Score.

Why is my FICO Score 100 points lower than credit karma?

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.

What credit score is needed to buy a car?

Still, you typically need a good credit score of 661 or higher to qualify for an auto loan. About 69% of retail vehicle financing is for borrowers with credit scores of 661 or higher, according to Experian. Meanwhile, low-credit borrowers with scores of 600 or lower accounted for only 14% of auto loans.

Where can I legitimately check my credit score?

Learn about your credit report and how to get a copy
  • Online by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com.
  • By calling 1-877-322-8228 (TTY: 1-800-821-7232)
  • By filling out the Annual Credit Report request form and mailing it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service. PO Box 105281. Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

Do soft inquiries affect your credit score?

There are two types of credit score inquiries lenders and others (like yourself or your landlord) can make on your credit score: a "hard inquiry" and a "soft inquiry." The difference between the two is that a soft inquiry won't affect your score, but a hard inquiry can shave off some points.

What is the safest way to get your annual credit report?

Online: You can ask for your free annual credit report from https://www.AnnualCreditReport.com. Make sure you are on this site before ordering your report. This is the official site, authorized by the Federal government, for you to get your free reports.