Your credit score is a crucial indicator of your financial health, influencing your ability to secure loans, credit cards, and even rent an apartment. Given its significance, it’s natural to wonder how often you should check your credit score and whether doing so can negatively impact your score. Let’s dive into these questions to help you make informed decisions about monitoring your credit.

How Often Should You Check Your Credit Score? The frequency with which you should check your credit score can vary from person to person and depends on your financial situation and goals. Here are some guidelines to consider:

1. Regular Monitoring: It’s generally advisable to check your credit score regularly, at least once a year, to spot any discrepancies or potential issues. This allows you to identify and address any inaccuracies that may be affecting your score.
2. Financial Milestones: You should also consider checking your credit score before significant financial milestones, such as applying for a mortgage, car loan, or credit card. Knowing your score in advance can help you determine your eligibility and negotiate better terms.
3. Identity Theft Concerns: If you suspect or have been a victim of identity theft, it’s crucial to monitor your credit score more frequently. Identity thieves can open fraudulent accounts, damaging your credit.
4. Credit Building: If you’re actively working to improve your credit score, checking it regularly can help you track your progress and identify areas where you need to make improvements.
5. Subscription Services: Many credit monitoring services offer ongoing access to your credit score, making it convenient to check your score more frequently.

Does Checking Your Credit Score Lower Your Score? The good news is that checking your own credit score, often referred to as a soft inquiry or soft pull, does not impact your credit score at all. It’s considered a routine and responsible financial practice, and credit scoring models do not penalize you for monitoring your own credit.

However, there is a distinct difference between a soft inquiry and a hard inquiry. A hard inquiry occurs when a lender or creditor checks your credit report as part of their decision-making process for a loan or credit application. Multiple hard inquiries in a short period can potentially lower your credit score slightly, as it may suggest that you’re actively seeking credit.

To summarize, checking your credit score for personal monitoring purposes does not harm your credit in any way. In fact, it can help you stay informed and maintain a healthy financial profile. It’s essential to understand the difference between soft and hard inquiries and be cautious about excessive hard inquiries when applying for new credit.

In conclusion, regularly checking your credit score is a responsible financial habit that can help you stay informed about your financial health and address any issues promptly. Importantly, this practice does not have a negative impact on your credit score. So, take advantage of the tools and services available to monitor your credit regularly and make informed financial decisions.