How To Get A Free Credit Score

Published: 05/06/2010 by RateNerd

» Credit Report
» Credit Score

Get your free estimated credit score in 60 seconds, with no SSN, credit card or other personal information required.

"The Score Estimator" is a simple question and answer tool that provides an estimated credit score based on your answers. Simply answer 10 questions about your credit history, and the estimator will provide your score.

Despite advertising claims, there’s only one way to get your credit report for free — through the web site provided by the credit bureaus called AnnualCreditReport.com.   But what you don't get is your credit score, that vital three-digit number which lenders and employers use to make decisions on. So, before shelling out $7.95 - $19.99 to get your credit score, use The Score Estimator to get an accurate estimate of your true credit score.  And since you don't have to put in any personal information like your social security number or credit card, you can get your estimated credit score anonymously and without risking identity theft or being hounded by email solicitations. Once you get your estimated credit score, The Score Estimator will give you tips on what to do next if your score is below par (for example, Credit Balance is 30% of your total credit score. By paying down your credit card balances, you can easily change your balance ratio which will in turn change your credit score).

The Score Estimator looks at the five factors that make up your credit score:

• Credit Inquiries - 10%


• Type of Credit - 10%


• Credit History - 15%


• Credit Balances - 30%


• Payment History - 35%

Here are the questions the Score Estimator asks - once you fill these out it will take about 60 seconds to get your free estimated credit score.

1. How many credit cards do you currently have?


2. How long ago did you receive your first loan?


3. How many loans or credit cards have you applied for in the last year?


4. How recently have you opened a new loan or credit card?


5. How many of your loans/credit cards currently have a balance?


6. Besides any mortgage loans, what are your total balances on all other loans and credit cards combined?


7. When did you last miss a loan or credit card payment?


8. How many of your loans and/or credit cards are currently past due?


9. What percent of your total credit card limits do your credit card balances represent?


10. Have you gone through any of the following negative financial events in the last 10 years: bankruptcy, tax lien, foreclosure, repossession, or account referred to collection agency?

Click here to try The Score Estimator and get your free estimated credit score.