Credit scores can affect everything from mortgages, to credit cards, to car loans. Your credit score is a quick way for banks or other lenders to size you up and evaluate you. They’re trying to answer one key question: What is the likelihood that this person pays me back?
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Now that you know how important your credit score is, let's talk about how you can find your score online. Americans are entitled to one free credit report within a 12-month period from each of the three credit bureaus.
Learn more about getting your free credit report >
So what if you get your credit score and it's not nearly as high as you need it to be to get the best loans and lowest interest rates? First things first: don't panic. Check your credit reports thoroughly and make sure that they are accurate.
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