Register for an Apple Card? Here's how to check your credit score

With the new Apple Card coming this summerIt may be time to take stock of your credit score before applying. You must be a qualified customer be approved for the new credit card. Apple did not exactly explain what that meant, but knowing your status is never a bad thing.

Credit checks are not just important when you plan to open a new credit card. You may also want to check your credit score if you are looking for a new home or a new vehicle, or to make sure your identity has not been stolen. Note that the examination of your credit score will not affect your credit.

If you have not checked your credit score recently, start with a well known company like Experian and Credit Karma (full list below). Many offer a range of services at different prices, including a free online check and a 30-day free trial period. Do not forget that some companies require your credit card information, but they usually provide additional services, such as an insurance against the theft of identity and reporting of a suspicious use your social security number.

So, how does a credit score work? Everyone starts with a FICO score, your credit rating can go from 300 to 850. The higher the number, the better it is. Some factors that affect your FICO score include "difficult demands" such as credit requests (your credit is being revised); "derogatory marks", like paying a late bill (they can keep your score low); and how much of your total credit do you use (the less you use it, the better it is). You get a FICO score from the three major US credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. Here is how these services break down.

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Experian

• 30-day free trial
• Price: $ 20 per month
• Offers tool to help increase your credit score
• Includes surveillance of theft of identity
• Indicates that this will help fight fraud if your identity or personal information is stolen
• Shows your FICO scores for all three offices (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax)
• Monitors your credit

Experian (or download the app for iOS or Android) is one of the leading credit monitoring services offering your FICO scores to the three offices. Experian can help you increase your FICO score by using utility bills that you already pay to apply to your credit. Your new credit scores will take effect immediately.

The company monitors identity theft and carries out daily analyzes of dark web pages to detect if your information has been stolen. If anything is detected, Experian indicates that its support team will help you.

TransUnion

• $ 25 a month
• Includes free identity protection
• Unlimited score and access to reports
• Credit Lock Plus
• Identity Theft Insurance up to $ 1,000,000

TransUnion (or download the app for iOS or Android) is also among the top three credit monitoring services. With TransUnion, you can view your credit report as often as you like if your score has changed.

Identity protection is included in Javelin, an identity protection service provider. Your monthly fees include credit monitoring, instant alerts if someone is applying for a credit on your behalf and an identity theft insurance of up to $ 1,000,000. TransUnion Credit Blocking is a service that keeps your credit profile locked out until you seal it. For example, if a criminal requests a credit on your behalf, the lock will prevent him from stealing your credit information.

Equifax

• $ 5 for a 30-day trial
• $ 20 per month
• Shows your FICO 3-Office scores
• Includes identity protection
• Sends alerts on suspicious activity
• Monitors the credit and social security number

The third largest US credit bureau, Equifax (or download the iOS app), suffered one of worst data breaches in 2017 affecting more than half of Americans. Equifax has a three-year plan for regain your trust.

If you feel indulgent, Equifax's services are on par with those of your competitors. It provides a copy of your Equifax credit report and monitors your credit numbers and social security numbers by scanning the websites on which customer information was sold. Equifax also sends alerts about suspicious activity, such as someone applying for credit on your behalf from the other side of the country.

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Karma Credit

• Free
• Check your credit score for free
• Monitors credit
• Displays credit factors and their impact on your score

Credit Karma (or download the app for iOS or Android) is a personal finance company. You can use it to check your credit scores as often as you want for free. You can also access your credit ratings from TransUnion and Equifax, but not from Experian. Credit Karma monitors your credit, sends weekly updates and warns you if your credit score changes.

The site also tells you the factors in your score and credit that affect your score, for example, if you use too much of your credit card limit, derogatory marks and difficult queries.

mint

• Free
• Check your credit score for free
• All personal information is encrypted

Mint (or download the app for iOS or Android) is a free service for managing your personal finances. In addition to keeping track of your payments, you can use it to determine weak points in your credit score, such as not having a long credit history, and interesting results, such as the payment of your credit score. bills on time. The Mint shows you your payments on time, your credit usage (so you can see if you reach your limit) and your average credit age on one screen.

After verifying your identity, the Mint will send a summary of your credit report and credit monitoring alerts if your score goes up or down.

FreeCreditReport.com

• Free
• Check your Experian credit score
• Note information updates every 30 days
• Monitor the use of credit, requests for funds and late payments

FreeCreditReport.com is a simplified service provided by Experian for free access to your credit report. The company provides you with an updated credit report every 30 days. You will have access to the history of your account, such as real estate accounts and credit accounts. FreeCreditReport.com displays your requests on your account, tracks your credit usage and indicates potential points against you, such as late payments.

Mixed services can help cover more ground

To check your credit, there are many ways to do it. You can select a service or pair free services to access your FICO score from the top three offices.

However, if you follow this path, do not forget that you will not benefit from the promised credit protection and monitoring offered by Experian, TransUnion and Equifax.