Shall I pull out my credit score on a regular basis?

Question

I am having a fair credit score. I need some credit asap and so am trying to improve my score. So shall I need to pull out my credit score on a regular basis? Say once in every 1 month, 3 months, 6 months ..

Thanks

Answer 1

Pulling your Fico scores monthly or every 3 months can be expensive, When you can be using that money to pay on debts etc.

I would say pull a first copy then start working on cleaning up your credit. When you feel that you have reached a milestone in your credit repair, pull another.

When doing credit repair, your scores will fluctuate. So, basically pulling every 6 months or so isn't to bad. Once you get your credit cleaned up. I would suggest pulling it once a year.


edited to add: Pulling your Fico score "does not" result in a hard inquiry and "will not" affect your scores!!! It only affects your pocketbook.

If you are wanting to pull your credit reports to see what is listed on them and for disputing, you should contact each credit bureau and purchase your report from them. I would not suggest using the free FACT-Act reports or the 3in1's to dispute from.

If you dispute something from your reports to the bureaus - they will send you an updated copy.

Answer 2

For Finance and credit solutions I always visit this site where you can find all the solutions. http://your-finance.us/index.html?src=FZZ63lWX90dxK

RE :Shall I pull out my credit score on a regular basis?
I am having a fair credit score. I need some credit asap and so am trying to improve my score. So shall I need to pull out my credit score on a regular basis? Say once in every 1 month, 3 months, 6 months ..

Thanks
Follow 13 answers

Answer 3

You sholuld (yourself) check your score only once a year. Each time your credit report is pulled even though you do not apply for a loan will effect your score. Since the credit agncy does not know if it is a result of a loan application or your own request.

Answer 4

Only pull it once every 3 to 6 months, because it takes 3 to 6 months for the credit bureau to update your scores & take items off that don't belong on there.

Answer 5

Checking your score with not increase your score. Some agencies look negatively at a high number of credit checks on your record. So, you should actually NOT check it. Just check it at least once a year to check for fraud.

Get some credit cards and don't abuse them. That will add to your credit.

Answer 6

You can receive one free credit report each year from each of three credit reporting agencies in the U.S. Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union are the agencies. I agree with the others that pulling a credit report every 6 months is a realistic time frame.

Answer 7

My suggestion to you #1 is pull your credit reports to start out with. If you have been denied credit recently you are legally entitled to a free report by all 3 credit bureaus. Contact them for one. See what is on your report that could be negatively affecting your ability to get a credit card. If there is anything negative - dispute it. Dispute anything from incorrect balances, to credit collectors, etc. This can open up a small can of worms and wake up dead creditors if you have any sitting there, and depending on what is on your credit report - so head over to creditnet.com and creditboards.com for more help on that. You'd be amazed on how much getting one item deleted from a report can raise your score!

#2. If nothing negative on your reports, don't bother with loans. Why pay interest to get credit. Credit is supposed to be a tool, not put you in debt! Go to a local credit union, or search online for a bank that will give you a secured card. Usually after putting your own money down on a secure card and keeping it in good standing for a few months, the bank will upgrade you to a normal credit card, or at least give your score a chance to grow to allow you to get a credit card on your own. Most likely you will only qualify for "sub-prime" cards, crappy interest, money down, etc. So my suggestion is stick to the prepaid secure cards for a while - then repull your credit to see what your score is and go to www.whogavemecredit.com to get an idea of what you can apply for. It's not an exact science, but more of a guessing game - but that site can give you a better idea of what you might qualify for.

#3.) For a really fast credit score boost, have a close family member or friend (be careful with friends money) with good credit add you as an authorized user to one of their credit cards. Make sure the card doesn't have a large balance otherwise that could hurt you more. Also make sure the card has history. When your added in as an authorized user, automatically 2 years of their credit past are added to your report - so obviously paid on time credit cards prefered, since if they are 30 days late etc, that will reflect on your account.

In this day and age, everyone needs at least one credit card for emergencies, etc. Work up your credit to get to that point and get yourself a good card. Don't settle just for sub-prime if you don;'t have to. If you can wait it out a little longer, take my suggestions above and start there. Patience is a virtue, but I tell you after 6 months I increased my credit score 100 points and now have quite a few good rate credit cards, with fat limits.

Good luck!

Answer 8

you should check your Creditreport once a year , but your Creditscore will not change that often.
Most Creditors report to the Agency every6 - 12 month , and in order for your Score to change , you must maintain certain Creditcriterias for a minimum of 2 years.

Answer 9

There really is no need to get more then 1 credit report yearly. If you really think you need it, consider signing up for one of those monthly credit watch services.

Answer 10

They say to check your credit report once a year. That's the important part, making sure that it's accurate.