Your credit score is a three-digit number that summarizes your credit risk based on your financial history. Lenders, landlords, and even some employers use this score to evaluate your responsibility. Checking it regularly ensures you are not blindsided by high interest rates or rejected applications. Benefits of Checking Your Score

: Making payments on time is the most significant factor.

You can check your score without hurting it through "soft inquiries." Many banks and credit card issuers provide free monthly scores. For a comprehensive look, you can use the AnnualCreditReport.com service to get free reports from the three major bureaus. Key Factors That Influence Your Score