Your Credit Score

When you’re applying for credit—whether it’s a credit card, car loan, a personal loan or a mortgage—lenders want to know your credit risk level.

There are three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) in the United States that maintain records of your credit use and other information about you. These records are called credit reports, and lenders will want to check your credit report when you apply for credit. In most cases, lenders will also want to know your credit score.

What is a credit score?
A credit score is a number that summarizes your credit risk, based on a snapshot of your credit report at a particular point in time. A credit score helps lenders evaluate your credit report and estimate your credit risk. It’s a vital part of your credit health.

The most widely used credit scores are FICO® scores, the credit scores created by Fair Isaac Corporation. Learn all about them here.

• PDF Booklet:
  Understanding Your FICO® Score
  
  
• PDF Booklet: Identity Theft and You