How to check your credit in the United States

About 12.5% of adults in the United States don't have a scoreable credit score: 2.7% have no credit record at all and another 9.8% have a record without a score, according to the CFPB report on credit invisibles (June 2025, PDF). If you've never checked your credit, you may be part of that group without knowing it. Checking your credit for free is the first step to changing that.

You arrive in the United States, open a bank account, land a job, and pay your bills on time. But when you need a loan or want to rent an apartment, you get turned down. The reason: you don't have enough credit history. Or worse, you do have it and don't even know.

This happens to millions of people. Not because they're irresponsible with money, but because the system doesn't always make access easy. According to the FDIC national household survey (2023), millions of families in the U.S. still lack full access to the banking system, which makes building a credit history harder.

Many come from countries where credit works differently. Others use an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead of an SSN and don't know that the credit bureaus may have a file under their name. And some simply never received the right information in Spanish.

Knowing your credit score costs nothing. And it's the foundation for making financial decisions that truly benefit you. In this guide you'll learn exactly how to check your credit for free, what options you have if you use an ITIN, and what to do with the results.

What a credit score is and why it matters so much

Your credit score is a number between 300 and 850 that sums up your financial behavior for lenders. It determines whether you're approved for a loan, a card, or even a rental agreement, and on what terms. The higher the number, the better the financial options available to you.

The three main credit bureaus in the U.S. are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Each one collects information about your accounts, payments, and debts, and generates a credit report that lenders review before making decisions.

Your score is calculated based on five main factors:

• Payment history (35%): paying on time is the factor that carries the most weight.
• Credit utilization (30%): what percentage of your available credit you're using. Ideally, keep it below 30%.
• Length of accounts (15%): older accounts add points.
• Types of credit (10%): a mix of cards, loans, and mortgages helps.
• Recent inquiries (10%): too many credit applications in a short time can cost you points.

For the Latino community, understanding these factors has added value. If you come from a country where credit works differently, or if you arrived in the U.S. with an ITIN and zero history, every point on your score represents a step toward better opportunities. It's not just a number: it's about access to personal loans with better terms, housing, and even employment.

3 free ways to check your credit

There are three completely free ways to check your credit score and your credit report without paying a cent and without affecting your score. All of them use a soft pull, which means checking your own credit never costs you points.

1. AnnualCreditReport.com (the official option)

The federal government guarantees your right to get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three bureaus every 12 months through AnnualCreditReport.com. According to the CFPB, this is the only authorized source for free reports under federal law (FACTA).

You can request all three reports at once or space them out every four months to monitor your credit throughout the year. The site also lets you review updated reports more frequently online.

If you prefer to do it by phone, call (877) 322-8228. You can also mail a request to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

2. Free apps like Credit Karma or Credit Sesame

Several apps let you see your credit score and monitor changes in your credit report at no cost. Credit Karma uses data from TransUnion and Equifax. Credit Sesame focuses on TransUnion. Both use VantageScore, a scoring model different from FICO but just as useful for giving you a clear idea of your credit health.

The advantage of these apps is frequency: you can check your score every week and get alerts when something changes in your report. The downside is that they show an estimated score, not necessarily the same number a specific lender will see.

3. Directly through your bank or credit card

Many banks and credit card issuers in the U.S. offer free access to your FICO score as part of your account. This includes institutions like Discover, Capital One, Chase, and Bank of America. If you have an active account, check your bank's online portal or app.

This method has the advantage of showing you your real FICO score, the same one many lenders use to make decisions. If your bank offers it, it's the most direct way to know where you stand.

How to check your credit step by step

If it's your first time checking your credit, follow these steps:

1. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com and select the three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
2. Complete identity verification with your name, address, SSN or ITIN, and date of birth.
3. Review each report looking for errors: accounts you don't recognize, payments reported as late that you made on time, or incorrect amounts.
4. Download or print each report for your records.
5. If you find errors, dispute them directly with the corresponding bureau (we explain how further down).

If you prefer ongoing monitoring, download Credit Karma on your phone and create an account. In less than five minutes you'll have access to your score and automatic alerts every time something changes in your report. Both methods are free and use a soft pull.

How to check your credit if you have an ITIN (not an SSN)

If you have an ITIN instead of an SSN, you can request your credit report directly from each credit bureau. The three main bureaus accept requests with an ITIN, though the process requires extra steps that aren't always clear in the information available in English.

AnnualCreditReport.com works mainly with an SSN. If your identity verification fails on the site, it doesn't mean you have no history. It means you need to request your report through a different channel.

For each bureau, the process is similar:

• Equifax: Call (866) 349-5191 or mail a request with a copy of your ITIN and an official ID.
• Experian: Call (888) 397-3742. You can also try online at experian.com using your ITIN instead of the SSN.
• TransUnion: Call (800) 916-8800. You can request your report by phone or by mail.

In all cases, you'll need to provide your full name, current address, date of birth, and ITIN number. Some bureaus ask for additional documentation such as a copy of your ID and proof of address.

If you've never had credit in the U.S. with your ITIN, the bureaus may not have a file under your name. This doesn't mean something is wrong: you simply don't have a registered history yet. Options like secured credit cards or products designed to build history can help you get started. If you're considering a personal loan as a first step, check the requirements in your state first.

Soft pull vs. hard pull: the difference you should know

A soft pull is a credit check that doesn't affect your score. It happens when you check your own score, when an employer verifies your history, or when a lender sends you a pre-approved offer. A hard pull can lower your score: according to Experian, a hard inquiry typically lowers your FICO Score by less than 5 points (or between 5 and 10 points on VantageScore) and stays on your report for up to 2 years.

This distinction matters because many people avoid checking their credit out of fear of losing points. That's a myth. Checking your own credit is always a soft pull.

According to myFICO, checking your own credit doesn't affect your score because it's classified as a soft inquiry. According to the CFPB report (June 2025, Table 2), the share of adults with a scoreable credit record rose from 81.6% in 2010 to 87.5% in 2020. More people are entering the system. Checking your score is part of that progress.

If you're looking at financing options, look for lenders that use a soft pull for the initial evaluation. Kiwi, for example, uses a soft pull to evaluate your personal loan application, which means applying doesn't affect your credit score.†

Watch out for scams: no one should charge you to check your credit

Checking your credit report is a free federal right. No legitimate company will charge you to access your own annual report, and any service that demands an upfront payment to "improve" your score deserves immediate distrust.

"Credit repair" scams disproportionately affect the Latino community. According to the CFPB guide, the only authorized source for your free report is AnnualCreditReport.com, not sites with similar names that charge monthly fees.

Warning signs you should recognize:

• They ask you to pay before doing any work.
• They promise to remove verifiable negative information from your report (this is illegal).
• They suggest creating a "new credit identity" with a CPN (Credit Privacy Number). According to the FTC, using a CPN to obtain credit under a false identity is a federal crime.
• They don't explain your rights or give you a written contract.

If someone offers you these services, report it to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission). You can dispute errors on your report directly with the bureaus, with no middlemen and without paying a cent.

What to do after checking your credit

Once you have your credit report in hand, review it looking for three things: factual errors, accounts you don't recognize, and opportunities to improve your credit profile. This step is where the review stops being informational and turns into concrete action.

According to Experian, if your score is between 670 and 739 you're in the range lenders consider "good." If it's below 580, access to traditional products is considerably limited. But regardless of where you stand, there are immediate steps you can take.

If you find errors:

1. Identify the bureau that has the incorrect information (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion).
2. File a dispute online, by phone, or by mail. Each bureau has its own dispute portal.
3. The bureau has 30 days to investigate and respond, according to the FCRA.
4. If the information is incorrect, they must correct it or remove it at no cost to you.

If you want to improve your score:

• Pay all your bills on time. This is the factor that weighs the most (35% of your score).
• Reduce your credit card balances below 30% of your limit.
• Don't close old accounts, even if you don't use them. Age adds up.
• Consider a small loan paid in installments, which reports to all three bureaus and helps you build history. Options like the ones Kiwi offers, with loans from $150 to $3,000*, use a soft pull for the application and report every on-time payment to TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax.† There's also Kiwi's Credit Builder, a program starting at $5/month that reports to all three bureaus.

Check our complete credit history guide for a step-by-step plan.

Credit monitoring: your shield to protect your financial health

Credit monitoring alerts you every time something changes in your credit report: a new account, an inquiry, a balance change, or an unknown address. It's the most direct way to catch fraud or identity theft before it causes real damage.

Free monitoring options:

• Credit Karma: monitors TransUnion and Equifax. Weekly alerts.
• Credit Sesame: monitors TransUnion. Includes identity theft insurance.
• Your bank: many banks and cards offer alerts built into their app.
• Fraud alert: you can place a free 90-day alert on your file with any of the three bureaus. The bureau that receives the request shares it with the other two.

If you're a victim of identity theft, you can request a credit freeze with each bureau. This blocks all inquiries until you lift it. It's free and doesn't affect your score.

If you also have debts you want to organize, check our guide on how to consolidate debt to weigh your options. And if you want to build credit history while monitoring your progress, explore Kiwi's options that report every on-time payment to all three bureaus.*

Checking your credit once a year is a good starting point. Monitoring it continuously is what really protects your long-term financial health. Visit our FAQ page if you have questions about the process.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I check my credit for free?

You can get your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the only source authorized by the federal government. You can also use apps like Credit Karma or Credit Sesame to monitor your score at no cost. Many banks and credit cards offer access to your FICO score within their platform.

Does checking my credit lower my score?

No. When you check your own credit, it's recorded as a soft pull that has no effect on your score. Only hard pulls, which happen when you formally apply for a loan or card, can affect your score. You can check your credit as many times as you want without worrying.

How often should I check my credit?

At a minimum, review your full credit report once a year with each bureau. If you're planning to apply for a loan or mortgage, review it three to six months ahead to fix any errors. If you use a free monitoring app, a weekly score check keeps you on top of important changes.

How do I check my credit without affecting my score?

Use any of the three free options: AnnualCreditReport.com for your full report, an app like Credit Karma for ongoing monitoring, or your bank's portal if it offers access to your FICO score. All of these options use a soft pull and don't subtract points from your credit score. You can also look for lenders that evaluate with a soft pull before you make a formal application.

How do I check my credit with an ITIN for free?

If you have an ITIN instead of an SSN, request your credit report directly from each bureau by phone or by mail. Equifax: (866) 349-5191. Experian: (888) 397-3742. TransUnion: (800) 916-8800. You'll need your full name, address, date of birth, ITIN number, and a copy of your ID. The annual report is free by law.

What does it mean to have a good credit score?

According to the FICO Score ranges published by Experian: 300-579 (poor), 580-669 (fair), 670-739 (good), 740-799 (very good), and 800-850 (exceptional). A score of 670 or higher gives you access to most financial products with competitive terms. Every point counts, and every on-time payment reported to the bureaus moves you closer to a better range.

How do I dispute errors on my credit report?

Identify the error and the bureau that reports it. File a dispute online (each bureau has its portal), by phone, or by mail, including supporting documentation. The bureau has 30 days to investigate under the FCRA. If the error is confirmed, they must correct it at no cost. The FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) protects your right to an accurate report and to dispute incorrect information.

Key takeaways

• Your credit score runs from 300 to 850 and is based on payment history, credit utilization, and account age.
• AnnualCreditReport.com is the official source for free reports under the FACTA law.
• A soft pull doesn't affect your score; a hard pull can lower it by less than 5 points (FICO) for up to 2 years.
• The three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) accept ITIN requests by phone or mail.
• The bureaus have 30 days to investigate and correct errors you dispute on your report.