Does checking your own credit report hurt your credit score?

This myth isn’t as common as it used to be but we still hear it from time to time: “I don’t check my own credit, it will lower my credit score.”

It’s just not true. Not only does checking your own credit report not hurt your credit score, it’s actually one of the best ways to protect your credit.

This leads us right into our Just One Thing for November; checking your credit report. You can do it right here, for free: www.annualcreditreport.com. You should do this at least twice a year (which is why this was also our task for June this year). It takes 5 minutes, it’s free, it doesn’t hurt your credit, and it can save you from being a victim of fraud. Go do it now.