What credit scores are there

Having different credit scores is normal. But if your credit score drops dramatically, there could be a reason. Learning how to monitor your credit regularly can help you track your progress and make sure the information in your credit history is accurate.

One way to monitor your credit is by using CreditWise from Capital One. CreditWise is free for everyone. You can also get free copies of your credit reports from each of the major credit bureaus by visiting AnnualCreditReport. Government and private relief efforts vary by location and may have changed since this article was published.

Consult a financial adviser or the relevant government agencies and private lenders for the most current information. We hope you found this helpful. Our content is not intended to provide legal, investment or financial advice or to indicate that a particular Capital One product or service is available or right for you.

For specific advice about your unique circumstances, consider talking with a qualified professional. It may not be the same model your lender uses, but it is an accurate measure of your credit health. The availability of the CreditWise tool depends on our ability to obtain your credit history from TransUnion. Some monitoring and alerts may not be available to you if the information you enter at enrollment does not match the information in your credit file at or you do not have a file at one or more consumer reporting agencies.

Learn why you may have more than one credit score and what that means for you. VantageScore VantageScore says its scoring models are the only versions to incorporate data from each of the three major credit bureaus. Checking your credit score right before you apply for a new loan or credit card can help you understand your chances of qualifying for favorable terms—but checking it further ahead of time gives you the chance to improve your score, and possibly save hundreds or thousands of dollars in interest.

Experian offers free credit monitoring for your Experian report, which in addition to a free score and report, includes alerts if there's a suspicious change in your report. Keeping track of your score can help you take measures to improve it so you'll increase your odds of qualifying for a loan, credit card, apartment or insurance policy—all while improving your financial health. Learn what it takes to achieve a good credit score.

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To dispute information in your personal credit report, simply follow the instructions provided with it. Your personal credit report includes appropriate contact information including a website address, toll-free telephone number and mailing address.

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As a rule of thumb, try to keep your credit utilization ratio or the amount of total credit being used under 30 percent. If you can, using as little as 10 percent of your credit line can be greatly beneficial to your score though this may not be possible depending on your spending needs and credit limit. Note, FICO also factors in the average age of your accounts and the age of the oldest account you own.

In order to keep your new credit in check, refrain from applying for more than one loan at a time.