Is Your Credit Score Below 675?
Getting a credit report is a good idea if you are not sure what your credit score may be.
If you are planning on applying for a loan, buying a car, putting a down payment on a house, or simply applying for a credit card, you are going to want to know what kind of credit you have beforehand, and a credit report that includes your credit score is the only sure way of knowing.
The median US credit score is 725.
That means half the population with a credit score has a score higher than 725, and half has a score lower than 725.
The US average credit score is about 675.
If you've been rejected for a loan or credit card, your credit score is probably below the national average.
A credit report will help you figure out why.
The good news is getting a credit report doesn't have to be such a hassle anymore.
You don't need to make any appointments, fill out any paper work, or even leave your house so long as you have an internet connection.
There are a number of different sites that offer you a credit report upon signing up.
Prior to applying for a new credit card several years ago I did an internet search.
Right off the bat I noticed a number of sites that claimed that they will give a credit report for free, so I tried one of these sites just for the heck of it.
The first site I tried was indeed free, however I still have yet to receive a credit report from them.
They required a credit card number, which I gave them, and a bunch of other personal information, and then said that I would receive my credit report in the mail.
Well, its several years later and I have not received that credit report yet.
Fortunately, they did not charge my account for anything, but nevertheless I regret ever signing up with them, and still have some concern about what they are doing with my credit card information.
Your best bet, I soon learned, in getting a credit report is to use one of the well known credit reporting services such as Experian, or Equifax.
They will charge you a small fee, usually around $30-$35 USD, if you want a report with your credit score.
Getting an accurate credit report and knowing your credit score is well worth the fee, however.
Overall, my advice before getting a credit report is to spend a few minutes researching different credit report sites.
Don't be fooled by offers of free credit reports, because there are likely strings attached.
Sometimes what's called free really is not.
Additionally, there is always the danger that the site you are signing up on is a complete fraud designed just for collecting peoples' personal information for illegal use.
It is not as likely as it used to be but I would not use any site that is not based in the US, and doesn't have a street address and telephone number.
Looking into it a little before signing up for a credit report may save you some headaches
If you are planning on applying for a loan, buying a car, putting a down payment on a house, or simply applying for a credit card, you are going to want to know what kind of credit you have beforehand, and a credit report that includes your credit score is the only sure way of knowing.
The median US credit score is 725.
That means half the population with a credit score has a score higher than 725, and half has a score lower than 725.
The US average credit score is about 675.
If you've been rejected for a loan or credit card, your credit score is probably below the national average.
A credit report will help you figure out why.
The good news is getting a credit report doesn't have to be such a hassle anymore.
You don't need to make any appointments, fill out any paper work, or even leave your house so long as you have an internet connection.
There are a number of different sites that offer you a credit report upon signing up.
Prior to applying for a new credit card several years ago I did an internet search.
Right off the bat I noticed a number of sites that claimed that they will give a credit report for free, so I tried one of these sites just for the heck of it.
The first site I tried was indeed free, however I still have yet to receive a credit report from them.
They required a credit card number, which I gave them, and a bunch of other personal information, and then said that I would receive my credit report in the mail.
Well, its several years later and I have not received that credit report yet.
Fortunately, they did not charge my account for anything, but nevertheless I regret ever signing up with them, and still have some concern about what they are doing with my credit card information.
Your best bet, I soon learned, in getting a credit report is to use one of the well known credit reporting services such as Experian, or Equifax.
They will charge you a small fee, usually around $30-$35 USD, if you want a report with your credit score.
Getting an accurate credit report and knowing your credit score is well worth the fee, however.
Overall, my advice before getting a credit report is to spend a few minutes researching different credit report sites.
Don't be fooled by offers of free credit reports, because there are likely strings attached.
Sometimes what's called free really is not.
Additionally, there is always the danger that the site you are signing up on is a complete fraud designed just for collecting peoples' personal information for illegal use.
It is not as likely as it used to be but I would not use any site that is not based in the US, and doesn't have a street address and telephone number.
Looking into it a little before signing up for a credit report may save you some headaches
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