Can I check my credit score without having to pay for it?

all the sites i have investigated require you to purchase something. why do i have to pay to see MY credit score? can i see it for free?

Public Comments

1. Yes-write to them or call them. The law requires they give you a free copy once a year upon your request.
2. IT DEPENDS IN WHAT STATE YOU LIVE. IN CALIFORNIA IT'S FREE
3. No the free reports do not give the key number FICO score! Go to MY FICO and buy the combine report. This will give you a clear picture of what biz see about you, you can work to improve/correct and be able nego from the position of knowledge. Example car sales may try to pass a higher interest rate then you deserve!
4. You can see it for free THREE times a year! Law requires the credit-rating agencies let you know your score once a year for free if you ask, so since there are three agencies (Experian, Transunion & Equifax) you can ask once every four months for no charge.
5. Your three credit REPORTS you can get free once a year at the site below. Your credit SCORE will cost you, usually around $10. I believe there is an option to pay for your score when you get your free report. BTW - if you are getting your free reports at the free site from the three agencies, get them one at a time, every four months. That way, you can keep close tabs on your report without having to pay for a "credit watch" subscription.
6. Here are the facts! You can receive all three of your credit files free once every 12 months by law(passed in 2004) from annualcreditreport.com As far as credit scores they unfortunately are not free. The only credit score that lenders use is a FICO score. You can get all three at www.myfico.com/12 and also the top four reasons from all 3 of the credit bureaus that your credit score isn't higher for $44.85. Or you can get individual FICO scores for $14.95 from Equifax and TransUnion at www.equifax.com and www.transunioncs.com respectively. Experian sells their own score which is worthless. Good Luck