Have you checked your credit score lately?

It is very important that you know all there is to know about your finances. Credit reports and credit scores are a big part of that.

You need to make sure to keep on top of these things so you not only know where you stand financially but also to prevent identity theft.

What is a credit score?

Your credit score is a number that shows whether you are creditworthy or not. It impacts your ability to get a loan but also impacts your options when buying a home. It’s extremely essential to maintain good credit.

In Canada, credit scores range from 300 to 900, with 900 indicating less risk to the lender. The higher the score, the better.

Credit scores do require a payment of $23.94 through Equifax, but it’s worth the cost!

What is a credit report?

Your credit report shows your credit history. If you’ve missed credit card payments, gone over your credit limit – it will show up here. Once you apply for credit, retailers, banks, and credit unions send updates to credit reporting agencies about your payment habits.

This information goes into your credit report – which can be obtained by lenders, employers, and landlords when you are applying for credit, a job, or housing.

Did you know you can request a copy of your credit report for FREE every year? It’s a good idea to do this so that you can check everything over to make sure there are no discrepancies.

To request a copy of your credit score, there is a fee of $25 and this request must be made online. Doing this also gives you access to your credit report.

Visit Equifax to get a copy of your credit report and/or credit score.