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Credit Advice
Topics addressed on December 8, 2010:
Why you can’t retrieve a credit score from last year
Dear Experian,
Can I see what my score is now and what it was last year?
- LOU
Dear LOU,
You can certainly see what your credit score is now, but you won’t be able to see what it was last year.
The reason is that credit scores are calculated only at the moment your credit report is requested based on the data that is currently being reported. Credit scores are not a part of your credit report and aren’t kept in Experian’s credit reporting systems at all.
Instead, a credit report is compiled from the information in Experian’s systems at the moment it is requested. A credit score is then applied for a fee if requested and is based on that information in the report as it is compiled at that moment. In some cases scores may be calculated by the lender in their application processing system after it receives your report.
Because credit reports are continuously updated to keep your history current and to purge outdated information, it is impossible to retrieve a report from last year or from any previous date.
There are, however, a couple of options you could use to track your credit scores over time. The first is to purchase a credit score when you request your free annual report. The cost is about $8. The following year you could purchase a new score report and compare your progress.
A second option is to subscribe to a credit monitoring service such as www.freecreditscore.com. The service will provide unlimited access to your credit report and credit scores so you can track changes in your credit score from year to year, or even day-to-day if you like.
Thanks for asking.
- The "Ask Experian" team