Is it bad to check your credit report?

[Tigger1]

I was told that checking your own credit report can cause your points to go down. Is this true. Does it make a difference whether you get the score or not? It the score different for all threee companys that do credit reports?

 

[Ronda93]

No, you checking your report has no effect on the scores. Inquiries from those considering extending you credit don't affects the score (credit card offers in the mail that you never asked for). You applying for credit affects the score. If you keep applying for credit it can weak your rating. Several inquiries in a short period of time is usually considered one inquiry (rate shopping).

The scores are different at each agency. I don't recall who actually has the FICO score - don't know if anyone does. You can get your credit history -without the magic score - free annually.

Ronda

 

[Disney-Kim]

no it absolutely does not. you can pull your own credit every day if you want. its called a "soft" inquiry and does not count against you.
a "hard" inquiry happens when you apply for new credit and this does count against your score...usually 7-10 points.

 

[jfoofj]

There is a great website (I think it is creditboards.com... hope it is ok to talk about other sites on here) that is a great source of information. You can also get a free copt of your credit reports each year, and you should because both myself, DH, and my mom have had wrong info on our reports.

 

[creativeamanda]

Nope, pulling your report has no effect on your report.

I pull mine once a year. Last year I found inaccurate information on my credit report, disputed them, and had them removed (stating I had a balance on a cc I don't use, for example). You have to be proactive.

 

[Tigger1]

Thanks everyone wh o replied. I thought it sounded wrong for it to be negative to check yourself.
Tigger