What are the best web sites to check your credit score? What does TransUnion, Equifax and Experian mean?

Question

I want to know why do you need to check all three credit breauers?

Answer 1

You are entitled by law to one copy of your credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies every 12 months. To get them, go to: www.annualcreditreport.com
Not all banks, lenders, etc. report to all of the agencies when you have an account, and many of them only check one agency when you are applying for a loan. Checking all three just covers all of your bases. I do it once a year.

Answer 2

Go to www.annualcreditreport.com - the reports are free and the site will hold your hand and guide you to the three reporting agencies. You'll want to visit all three because the data isn't always the same. If you want your FICO "Fair Isaac" credit score, then it's only about $6. Worth it to know. But only get the FICO score; don't pay for any other number.

DON'T go to www.freecreditreport.com or any other site.

Answer 3

To my knowledge, their names don't have a particular meaning. All I know is that for some reason, your history and your score are likely to show slight differences. And by law, you're entitled to a free credit report per year per bureau.

Here's a good article that can help you. It also tells you where you can find your free credit report:

http://financialbasics.blogspot.com/2006/11/credit-reports-and-credit-reporting.html

Enjoy!

Answer 4

You should. There are often differences.