PULL MY CREDIT REPORT...

When it comes to pulling your credit score, you should know that most sites provide the consumer score, a generic version of your three-digit score. This is because the credit reporting bureaus tailor their formulas based on the person or company “pulling” the credit report. An automobile company is more interested than a landlord in your payment history as it relates to installment loans. As such, the different bureaus apply four different formulae depending on who is asking for your credit report. When the consumer asks, the reporting bureaus usually provide a consumer version. With this in mind, you have two options:

Option #1: Download a free copy of your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com. Though your free credit report will accurately represent the report lenders use, the credit score (which you will need to pay for) is the consumer version and does not necessarily correspond with the credit score lenders use.

Option #2: See your true credit score - the one lenders will see when they pull your credit report - at www.myfico.com. The accurate version of your credit score comes with a small price: FICO charges a nominal amount for both your credit score and your credit report.