How To Check And Improve Your Credit Score

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), there are four main ways to check your credit score:

1. Bank, credit card, or lender statements – Many financial institutions include a credit score on monthly statements.

2. Free credit score services or websites – For example, Experian’s FreeCreditScore.com or sites like Credit Karma.

3. Purchasing directly – You can buy scores from credit reporting agencies like Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion.

4. Nonprofit credit or housing counselors – They can often provide free or low-cost credit scores as part of financial counseling.

👉 Keep in mind: You have more than one credit score. That’s because different credit scoring models (like FICO or VantageScore) use slightly different data and methods. So don’t be surprised if the numbers vary depending on where you check.

✅ Good news: Checking your own free credit score is considered a soft inquiry and will NOT hurt your credit. Only a hard inquiry (like when applying for a loan or credit card) affects your score.

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What’s Considered a Good Credit Score?

While every scoring model is different, here are the general ranges:

• FICO Score:

  • Good = 670–739

  • Very Good = 740–799

  • Exceptional = 800+

• VantageScore:

  • Good = 661–780

  • Excellent = 781–850

Since 90% of top lenders rely on FICO scores, it’s wise to pay close attention to your FICO first. Still, many credit card companies also consider your VantageScore.

👉 With CreditVanA, you don’t have to choose—we simulate all three bureaus and both scoring models so you see the most accurate picture possible.

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What Affects Your Credit Score?

Your credit score is based on five key factors:

1. Payment History (35%)

   • The #1 factor. Paying bills late will hurt your score the most.

2. Credit Utilization (30%)

   • How much of your available credit you’re using.

   • Example: If you owe $3,000 on a card with a $10,000 limit, your utilization is 30%.

   • Experts recommend keeping this number below 30%—lower is better.

3. Length of Credit History (15%)

   • The longer your accounts have been open, the better.

4. Credit Mix (10%)

   • Lenders like to see that you can manage different types of debt (credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, etc.).

5. New Credit (10%)

   • Opening new accounts or applying for multiple lines of credit can temporarily hurt your score.

   • But responsibly opening a new card can also increase your total available credit, improving utilization.

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Why Choose CreditVanA Over Other “Free Credit Score” Sites?

Websites like Credit Karma, NerdWallet, WalletHub, or Experian’s free score tool all provide access to your credit scores. But here’s the problem:

• They don’t always show all 3 bureaus – which means you’re only getting part of the picture.

• Many push ads or credit cards instead of personalized help.

• Their scores may differ from what lenders use (often VantageScore, not FICO).

✅ With CreditVanA, you get:

• Truly free credit score monitoring

• Simulated 3-bureau accuracy powered by AI

• Daily updates so you always know where you stand

• Personalized recommendations to help improve your score

• Real protection with fraud alerts and 24/7 monitoring

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Final Thoughts

Your credit score isn’t just a number—it’s the key to affordable loans, better interest rates, and greater financial opportunities. Checking your free credit score regularly is the first step in taking control of your financial health.

While AnnualCreditReport.com gives you one free report per year, and sites like Credit Karma give you partial snapshots, CreditVanA delivers smarter, real-time, 3-bureau simulated scores—so you always know the full story.

✅ Take control today: Download the CreditVanA app to see your free credit score, track your progress, and unlock the financial future you deserve.