Get your free credit report
Sign up for free, unlimited access to your credit report, plus enjoy personalized credit-building Nerdy insights.YES, I WANT MY CREDIT REPORT
NerdWallet uses 128-bit encryption to secure your information
★ 4.8 APP STORE RATING
100+ EDITORS, WRITERS, AND CONTENT STRATEGISTS
10K+ ARTICLES AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES
HOW IT WORKS
Your free credit report with NerdWallet unlocks
Credit monitoring
Check your free credit score and credit report as often as you want, and get alerts about changes so you can manage your credit effectively.
Credit education
Stay on top of your score with insights and alerts tailored to you. Use our credit simulator to see how actions might affect your score.
Credit card offers
Understand which credit cards fit your financial needs and check out the credit score guidelines for approval.
TESTIMONIALS
Trusted by 14M+ users like you
This does exactly what I wanted ... organizes and tracks all of my spending + where all of my money goes. It’s extremely simple and straightforward and it’s free!
Tyren Carter
It’s great! You continually get credit score updates, advice, and free reads! I linked all of my accounts and have monthly graphs of what’s coming in and going out, and includes net worth.
Chad Dunlap
LET'S COVER THE BASICS
Credit report 101
What is a credit report? How can it help me monitor my credit?
Your credit report shows information about you and your history with credit. It includes your accounts, payment history and sometimes negative marks, such as collections, if you have them.
That information has a powerful impact on your finances — and your credit score — so it’s important to be sure the data is correct and up to date. You can dispute errors and ask for them to be removed by the credit bureau or creditor responsible for the data. And we’ve got you covered if you’re not sure how to read your credit report.
Checking your credit report also helps you watch for signs of identity theft or fraud. To help you stay on top of things, NerdWallet will alert you to changes on your TransUnion® free credit report so you can monitor your credit efficiently.
What is the difference between a credit score and a credit report?
Your credit reports are files that hold information about how you used credit in the past. There are three major credit bureaus that hold your credit files: Equifax®, Experian® and TransUnion®.
The data in your credit reports is used to calculate a simple number representing your creditworthiness — a credit score. The two types of credit scores most commonly used in credit decisions are the FICO score and its competitor, VantageScore®. NerdWallet partners with TransUnion® to present your credit report and a VantageScore® 3.0.
You can have multiple credit scores — a score based on information from each of the credit bureaus, as well as specialty scores for products such as cars and credit cards. Learn more about the difference between credit scores and credit reports.
Get your free credit score, too
NerdWallet also provides your free credit score, so you can track how your actions help you build credit.
Your credit dashboard explains how you’re doing on the factors that make up your credit score. Insights and tips point out ways to keep building.
Best of all: Checking your own credit score or report does not hurt your credit score.
Why is a credit report important? Why is my credit score important?
Your credit report matters because it’s your credit history — your track record with handling borrowed money. The data in your credit reports is used to create your credit scores.
Your credit history and scores influence whether you can get a credit card or loan, and the interest rates you pay. Insurers may use your credit information to set premiums, and landlords may use credit data in choosing renters.
Credit scores also determine who gets the best cell phone financing deals and who has to make bigger deposits to get utilities.
Credit scores also determine who gets the best cell phone financing deals and who has to make bigger deposits to get utilities.
What if I find errors in my credit report, or see outdated information?
The data on credit reports comes from creditors, and you can correct errors either by contacting the specific creditor or the credit bureau it reported to.
Look for the “file a dispute” link on your NerdWallet app.
It’s wise to check your other credit reports to see if the error or outdated info is there, too.
» Learn: How to. dispute errors on your credit report
» Learn: How to. dispute errors on your credit report
MORE HELP
FAQs
How does NerdWallet get my free credit report and score?
NerdWallet partners with TransUnion® to provide your TransUnion® credit report. Using the data in your credit report, it also provides your VantageScore® 3.0 credit score. Your score and credit report information are updated weekly. Note that lenders may make their approval decisions using a different credit scoring model or data source.
Where does the data on my free credit report come from?
Several sources may report your credit activity to the credit bureaus: lenders and credit card issuers; debt collectors; public records (such as bankruptcies); and sometimes landlords. NerdWallet checks weekly for updates on your TransUnion® report.
You can also request free credit reports weekly from the three major credit bureaus by using AnnualCreditReport.com. These reports don’t include a credit score.
Is my free credit report really free?
Yes! Sign in to NerdWallet whenever you like to see your free credit report information, your free credit score — and much more. Monitor your cash flow, view your net worth and see upcoming payments, all on one convenient dashboard.
How do I order my free credit report from NerdWallet? How long does it take?
Just sign up for a NerdWallet account using any of the green buttons on this page. You’ll be asked to provide information needed to match you with the correct TransUnion® credit report, such as your full name, birthdate and Social Security number.
Next, you may be presented with a series of authentication questions as part of the credit score activation process. Your data is encrypted.
Once you provide that data and verify your identity, you’ll have access to your TransUnion® credit report.
Go to your Credit Score dashboard and click on "View full credit report.”
You’ll also have an opportunity to connect your financial accounts so you can use NerdWallet’s full suite of dashboards to see and manage your money.
» Need help navigating your credit report? There's a story for that.
» Need help navigating your credit report? There's a story for that.
What is included in my credit report from NerdWallet?
You’ll find a summary of your open credit accounts, showing the balance and payment status most recently reported to TransUnion®. Click on an account for an expanded view that shows things such as your credit limit, type of account and a look at your payment history.
You’ll also see a list of closed accounts, a list of inquiries (“credit pulls”) and any public records in your name. Public records include items such as repossessions, foreclosures and bankruptcies.
RESOURCES
Download the app to make smart money moves
