How credit scores work:

How can a single number be meaningful enough to determine whether you can buy a house or car? if you've read how credit reports work, you know that your credit report contains a history of how you've paid your bills, how much open credit you have, and anything else that would affect your credit worthiness.

Accessing your score:

Until recently, your credit score was not available to you, only lenders and other businesses that used the score, could access it in 2001, all of this changed due to pressure from us. congress, industry and consumer groups.

Now you can get your credit score at a number of web sites, including the big three credit bureaus, and at fair Isaac's web site. you can also ask your lender to disclose your score to you when you apply for a loan.

A credit score is a number that -- is calculated based on your credit history -- to give lenders a simpler -- lend/don't lend answer for people who are applying for credit or loans. this number helps the lender identify the level of-- risk they may be taking.