A good credit score will be helpful to anyone who wants to: apply for a loan, purchase a house, buy a car, use for a business investment, use for employment purposes, and even for applying to a use a utility service. It would be helpful to know your credit score, so you know if it is a good time to apply for any loans or credit cards. A few common questions asked are, “how can I get a good credit score” or “do I need to pay to acquire a credit score”?

As stated by Bankrate, understanding your credit score and how it is calculated helps you take control of your credit and may lead to lower interest rates and more money-saving opportunities. Your credit report is one of the most important documents in your life. Whether you’re taking out a mortgage, a car loan or applying for a credit card, your credit report has a huge influence on the offers that lenders will approve you for. (1)

When bills are paid on time with no record of delinquency, then you will most likely get a good credit score. On the other hand, when you have a default in any loan, or you have past due accounts, then you will likely to get a poor credit score.

It is very important to have a good credit score if you intend on using lines of credit in the present or future. Almost all major bank and credit card companies oblige applicants to have a good credit standing before any approvals. Before applying for any loan whatsoever, it is recommended that you check out your credit report first as well as your credit score, so you know where you stand. If you know that your credit standing is good, then proceed with the application because your application will be most likely be approved.

However, if your credit score is poor, you must fix it first before you apply, because your application will most likely be denied. Or, you may choose to apply for an average or below average credit card instead; however we recommend correcting your bad credit.

What is a Good Credit Score:

As noted by Credit.com, most credit scores – including the FICO score and VantageScore 3.0 – operate within the range of 300 to 850, and a good credit score is typically one that is 700 or above. Within that range, there are different categories, from bad to excellent. (3)

  • Excellent Credit: 750+
  • Good Credit: 700-749
  • Fair Credit: 650-699
  • Poor Credit: 600-649
  • Bad Credit: below 600

But even these numbers and ranges aren’t set in stone. Again, that’s because lenders all have their own definition of what is considered a good credit score. One lender that is looking to approve more borrowers might approve applicants with credit scores of 680 or higher. Another might be more selective and only approve those with scores of 750 or higher. Or both lenders might offer credit to anyone with a score of at least 650, but charge consumers with scores below 700 a higher interest rate! (3)

A good credit card score is extremely useful in many ways. You can easily have access to your credit score by simply signing up on their secure forms. Moreover, credit score companies allow you to see how an application for a new credit card, or making payment for a past due balance will affect your credit score. You should also check your FICO score, a credit score that’s based on several aspects of your financial profile and the one lenders use most often to predict your reliability as a borrower. FICO scores are not available at AnnualCreditReport.com and must be purchased. The higher your credit score, the less risk you pose to lenders. FICO scores range from 300 to 850, with 850 considered nearly perfect. (2)

Bankrate.com

You can also get a free credit score through companies like, Bankrate, which does not just provide your credit score but will also tell you the reason why you have a poor credit score. However, you can only get a free credit score every six months or just twice a year so plan accordingly.

Credit.com

Another website where you can see a glimpse of your credit score at no cost is the Credit.com which also allows you to see how your score was calculated as well as how your score can be improved.

All of these sites are able to provide free credit scores because they have ties to the credit industry. Their objective is to earn revenue dollars through advertising. They will also earn revenue when users sign up for the products that are on their website and linked to partners they work with.

Sources:

1.) https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/how-to-get-a-free-credit-score/

2.) https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/how-to-get-a-free-credit-score/

3.) https://www.credit.com/credit-scores/what-is-a-good-credit-score/