No — checking your own credit score never lowers it. When you check your own credit, it's recorded as a soft inquiry, which has zero impact on your credit score. This is one of the most common credit myths, and it prevents many people from monitoring their credit as often as they should. Here's exactly how soft vs. hard inquiries work and where to check your credit score for free.

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Soft Inquiries vs. Hard Inquiries

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There are two types of credit inquiries:

✓ FDIC Insured: All accounts at FDIC-member banks are insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution. Your money is protected.

**Soft inquiries** (no score impact): Checking your own credit, pre-qualification checks by lenders, background checks by employers, and account reviews by existing creditors. These are visible on your credit report but do not affect your score.

**Hard inquiries** (temporary score impact): Formal credit applications — credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, auto loans. These can lower your score by 5–10 points and remain on your report for 2 years.

✓ Pros

  • FDIC insured up to $250K
  • No minimum balance required
  • Free ATM network access
  • Mobile check deposit

✗ Cons

  • No physical branches
  • Cash deposits can be tricky
  • Customer service via app only
  • Limited product range

Where to Check Your Credit Score for Free

You can check your credit score for free through several sources:

  • **AnnualCreditReport.com**: Free weekly access to your full credit reports from all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)
  • **Credit Karma**: Free VantageScore from Equifax and TransUnion, updated weekly
  • **Experian**: Free FICO Score 8 from Experian, updated monthly
  • **Discover Credit Scorecard**: Free FICO Score 8, available to everyone (not just Discover customers)
  • **Your bank or credit card**: Many issuers provide free FICO scores on statements or in their app
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How Often Should You Check Your Credit?

Financial experts recommend checking your full credit report at least once per year (and ideally quarterly) to catch errors, fraud, and identity theft early. Checking your score monthly is completely safe and helps you track progress toward your credit goals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does checking your credit score hurt it?
No. Checking your own credit score is a soft inquiry and has zero impact on your score. You can check it as often as you want.
What's the difference between a credit score and a credit report?
Your credit report is the full record of your credit history (accounts, payments, inquiries). Your credit score is a numerical summary (300–850) calculated from your credit report data.
Is Credit Karma accurate?
Credit Karma shows your VantageScore, which is different from the FICO Score most lenders use. The scores are usually similar but not identical. Credit Karma is useful for tracking trends and spotting errors.
How long does it take to improve a credit score?
Small improvements (10–30 points) can happen within 30–60 days by paying down credit card balances. Larger improvements (50–100+ points) typically take 6–12 months of consistent on-time payments and responsible credit use.