Credit Cards are a great financial tool to add to your wallet. There is a wide range of credit cards ranging from basic credit cards to super-premium credit cards. All of them help you in building your credit history. They can either be your sweetest friend or your worst nightmare depending on your utilisation. It can either help in building a good credit score or can harm it. In this article, we have covered all about credit scores and how can you check them without harming them. Keep reading to kick start your research.
What is a credit score?
A credit score is a 3-digit number that is calculated by a credit bureau agency. A good credit score is considered to be 750 or above. Falling into this range makes you eligible for a credit card or a loan. Even if you have no credit score then also you can still get a credit card. There are various ways to increase credit score quickly such as using third-party app services like Buy Now Pay Later, taking up a personal loan, and so on.
While applying for a credit card or for a credit score check make sure that you do not get yourself into the Hard inquiries. Now you may be wondering what is a hard inquiry? Here are the two types of inquiries that can be generated against you:
- Hard Inquiries: This type of inquiry is generated when you have applied for credit with a lender. They affect your credit score negatively but they have a minimal effect on it for a limited period. However, if hard inquiries are being generated several times in a smaller span then it is an alarming situation for you as well as for your credit score.
- Soft Inquiries: These do not affect your credit score. This is generated when you check your own credit score and not by a lender. These do not harm your credit score so you do not have to about them.
How can you check your credit score without hurting it?
You can check your credit report without hurting it by using the below-mentioned ways:
- Free credit report: You can request an annual credit report from the credit bureau agency. After a year you will receive a free credit report and you can check your credit score through it once a year without hurting your credit score. This will not generate any type of inquiry against you.
- Ask your credit card lender: You can ask your credit card lender to provide you with the credit report as they have this information. It all depends on them whether they want to disclose the information or not. If you are a loyal customer then there are high chances that you get your credit report from your lender in a good faith.
- Use third-party apps: You can use third-party apps that provide you with a free credit score check such as Paytm, Amazon, etc. You can request the score by providing your number, date of birth, and PAN number. This will also not harm your credit score.
Also Read: Does Checking Your Credit Score Lower It?
Bottom Line:
To summarise, we hope that you must have gotten an idea about credit scores and how you can check your credit score online without hurting it. If you have any further inquiries do let us know in the comment section we would love to help you out.
Suggested Read: Tips For First-Time Credit Card Users