Your credit score plays a crucial role in your financial health. It determines your ability to secure loans, credit cards, and even a mortgage. While many people know how to obtain their free credit report, understanding your actual credit score—the number that lenders use—is just as important.

What Is Your Credit Score & Why Does It Matter?

Your credit score is a three-digit number that reflects your creditworthiness. Lenders, landlords, and even employers check it to assess financial responsibility. The most widely used score is the FICO score, developed by Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), which is used by over 90% of top lenders. However, there are other scoring models, such as VantageScore, that provide estimates of your FICO score.

A higher credit score means better loan terms, lower interest rates, and greater financial flexibility. If your credit score isn’t where you want it to be, credit repair services can help you dispute inaccuracies and improve your score.

How to Find Out Your Credit Score

There are several ways to check your credit score, some of which are free while others require a small fee.

1. Free Credit Score Websites

Several websites offer free access to your estimated credit scores, allowing you to monitor changes over time. Keep in mind that these are not your actual FICO scores but can still provide useful insights.

• Credit Karma: Provides TransUnion and Equifax credit scores for free.
• Credit Sesame: Offers free Experian credit scores.

These services update your scores regularly and offer tools to improve your credit, but they do not show your official FICO score.

2. Paid Credit Monitoring Services

For a more comprehensive credit report, consider using a credit monitoring service that provides scores from all three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). These services typically charge around $20/month but often come with a 7-day free trial:

• SmartCredit: Includes credit score improvement plans  and identity theft protection.
• MyScoreIQ: The official source for FICO scores used by lenders. Offers monitoring services with access to all three credit bureaus.
• IdentityIQ: Provides credit scores and monitoring for a monthly fee.

💡 Pro Tip: If you are in the process of credit repair, monitoring your score closely helps track your progress and catch any errors early.

3. Checking Your Credit Score Through a Loan Application

Another way to access your real credit score is by applying for a loan or credit card. Most lenders will disclose your FICO score upon request. However, keep in mind that a hard inquiry can slightly lower your score, so this method should be used sparingly.

4. Order Your FICO Score Directly

If you want to see your official FICO score, visit MyFICO. They offer one-time reports or ongoing monitoring services. This is the most accurate way to see the scores used by mortgage lenders, auto loan providers, and credit card issuers.

Why Monitoring Your Credit Score Matters

Your credit score impacts every aspect of your financial future. A difference of 100 points can mean thousands of dollars in additional interest over time. Here’s why it’s crucial to monitor and improve your score:

✅ Lower Interest Rates – Higher scores qualify for better mortgage and auto loan rates.
✅ Easier Approvals – Get approved for credit cards, loans, and even rental applications.
✅ Job & Insurance Benefits – Some employers check credit scores before hiring.
✅ Save Money Over Time – A high credit score helps you avoid expensive financing costs.

Need to Improve Your Credit Score? Get Expert Help!

If your credit score isn’t where you want it to be, Payton Credit Services can help. We specialize in credit repair, dispute resolution, and financial coaching to help you achieve your goals.

📢 Get started today! Enroll now at www.paytoncs.com or email us at support@paytoncs.com.

🔹 No upfront fees – Just $19.95 for credit monitoring
🔹 Affordable monthly plans starting at $99/month
🔹 100% risk-free – Cancel anytime!

🚀 Take control of your financial future today! Don’t let bad credit hold you back—get your credit score and start improving it now!