Always keep tabs on your credit report.
James Martin/CNET
With all the data breaches that have popped up over the last several years, you probably know someone (if not yourself) who was affected by one of the breaches. And if it was the Capital One data breach or the Equifax data breach that you were involved in, you've probably learned how important it is to check your credit report.
After all, your credit score is an important part of your financial picture -- especially when applying for credit cards or loans and making major purchases, like down payments on a new home or vehicle. Being involved in your credit is another way to verify that your identity hasn't been stolen. Note that looking into your credit score will not affect your credit.
Read more: How to choose a credit card
If you haven't checked your credit score lately, start with a well-known company like Experian and Credit Karma (full list below). There are several that offer a range of services at different prices, including a free online check and free 30-day trial. Keep in mind that some companies require your credit card information, but they typically provide additional services, like insurance against identity theft and flagging suspicious use of your Social Security number.
So how does a credit score work? Everyone starts out with a FICO score, which is your creditworthiness number that can range from 300 to 850. The higher the number, the better. Some factors that affect your FICO score include "hard inquiries" like applying for credit (your credit is under review); "derogatory marks" like paying a bill late (these can keep your score down); and how much of your total credit you're using (the less you use, the better). You get a FICO score from the three major US credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. Here's how these services break down.
Read more: The best identity theft monitoring services for 2020
Will checking my credit score affect my credit?
Many people believe checking their credit score will add a ding to their credit report -- but that's not true. Checking your own credit score is considered a soft inquiry and won't affect your credit. However, if you're applying for a loan or credit card and a company runs a credit check on you, that's considered a hard inquiry, which can bring your score down several points.
Experian
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Free 30-day trialPrice: $20 per monthOffers tool to help boost your credit scoreIncludes identity theft monitoringSays it will address fraud if your identity or personal information is stolenShows your FICO scores for all three bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax)Monitors your credit
Experian (or download the app for iOS or Android) is one of the major credit monitoring services that offers your FICO scores for the three bureaus. Experian can help you boost your FICO score by using utility bills that you're already paying to apply to your credit. Your new credit scores will immediately take effect.
The company monitors identity theft and conducts daily scans of pages to detect if your information has been stolen. If anything is detected, Experian says its support team will help.
TransUnion
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$25 per monthIncludes free identity protectionUnlimited score and report accessCredit Lock PlusUp to $1,000,000 in ID theft insurance
Also among the top three major credit monitoring services is TransUnion (or download the app for iOS or Android). With TransUnion, you can check your credit score report as often as you'd like to see if your score has changed.
Identity protection is included through Javelin, an identity protection service provider. Your monthly fee includes credit monitoring, instant alerts if someone applies for credit in your name and up to $1,000,000 in ID theft insurance. TransUnion Credit Lock is a service that keeps your credit profile on lockdown until you unseal it. For example, if a criminal applies for credit in your name, the lock will prevent them from stealing your credit information.
Equifax
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$20 per month
Shows your Equifax three-bureau credit scoresIncludes identity protectionSends alerts about suspicious activitiesMonitors credit and Social Security number
The third main credit bureau in the US, Equifax (or download the app for in 2017 affecting . Equifax has a three-year plan to . If you were affected by the data breach, you still can file a claim (it's in the extended claims period now, so you'll need to file ASAP) for reimbursement on time spent recovering from identity theft or out of pocket losses due to the data breach.
If you're feeling forgiving, Equifax's services are on par with competitors. It provides a copy of your Equifax credit report and monitors your credit and Social Security numbers by scanning websites where consumer information has been sold. Equifax also sends alerts about suspicious activities, like someone applying for credit in your name on the other side of the country.
Read: 2019 Data Breach Hall of Shame: These were the biggest data breaches of the year
Credit Karma
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FreeCheck credit score for freeMonitors creditShows credit factors and how they affect your score
Credit Karma (or download the app for
Mint
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FreeCheck your credit score for freeAll personal information is encrypted
Mint (or download the app for
FreeCreditReport.com
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FreeCheck your Experian credit reportReport information updates every 30 daysMonitor credit usage, hard inquiries and late payments
FreeCreditReport.com is a pared-down service provided by Experian to access your credit report for free. The company provides you with an updated credit report every 30 days. You'll have access to your account history, like real estate and credit accounts. FreeCreditReport.com shows you hard inquiries on your account, tracks your credit usage and shows any potential marks against you, like late payments.
Note that this only shows your credit report and not your credit score. In order to see your score, you'll have to upgrade to Experian CreditWorks Premium. You can get a one month trial for $5.
Mixing and matching services may help cover more ground
When it comes to checking your credit, there are a lot of ways to go. You can select one service, or pair free services together to access your FICO score from all three major bureaus.
However, if you go that route, keep in mind that you won't have the promised credit protection and monitoring that Experian, TransUnion and Equifax offer.
For more details on data breaches that may have affected you or someone you know, check out Equifax, MGM Resorts and beyond: Every major security breach and data hack.
Disclaimer: The information included in this article, including program features, program fees, and credits available through credit cards to apply to such programs, may change from time-to-time and are presented without warranty. When evaluating offers, please check the credit card provider's website and review its terms and conditions for the most current offers and information.
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