A regular credit score check is required to determine your present credit position. Lenders access your credit score to analyze the likelihood of you paying the outstanding loans in time. Therefore, monitoring your credit score is necessary to maintain a good credit report. In addition, it helps lenders evaluate your creditworthiness. Various websites and applications offer credit score checks for free. 

But, before moving on to the details of an online credit score check, you must understand the meaning of credit score.

What is a credit score?

A credit score is a three-digit number depicting your creditworthiness as a consumer. A good credit score represents that you will pay your outstanding bills on time. The higher the score, the better you look as a borrower to potential lenders. 

Therefore, a regular credit score check is necessary to maintain an accurate credit report. 

Factors influencing the credit score

The credit bureau considers five major factors while calculating your credit score. 

• Duration of credit history

The age or duration of the credit history can directly impact your credit score. For example, if you had taken your last loan 3 years back, then the age of your credit history would be 3 years. A longer duration of credit history is better for maintaining a good credit score. Moreover, using credit cards or loans for a long period but making timely payments is considered a healthy financial habit. 

• Repayment history of outstanding bills

Repayment of your outstanding bills and loan EMIs have a significant role when calculating your credit score. Defaulting on bills and EMIs can negatively impact the score. Conversely, making full repayment of bills in time improves your credit history. 

• Credit utilization ratio (CUR)

The ratio of your credit dues to the credit amount available to you is called the credit utilization ratio. You can regularly use up to 30% of your credit limit to maintain a good CUR. However, utilizing credit more than the available amount or maintaining a high CUR negatively impacts your credit score.  

• Credit mix.

The ratio of your unsecured (credit cards, personal, etc.) loans and secured loans( home, auto, etc. ) is called the credit mix. Lenders usually prefer borrowers with a balanced credit mix. If you have too many unsecured loans, it negatively impacts your credit score. As a result, lenders may see you as a high-risk borrower. 

• Outstanding debts

The amount of your outstanding loans or debts at any given time affects your credit score. The more debt you have, the less eligible you are to apply for newer loans. If you aren’t making timely repayments, small credit purchases can build up to put you in trouble. Eventually, lenders see you as a high-risk borrower and may deny future credit. 

How to check credit scores online for free?

CIBIL score is the most popular among all the other credit scores available. But what is CIBIL? A credit information company called the Credit Information Bureau (India) Limited. CIBIL is one of India’s major and possibly the oldest credit bureaus. Usually, the credit score generated by the CIBIL is known as the CIBIL score. 

Numerous online platforms are offering a free credit score check. 

• Firstly, you need to visit the website of your choice and click on the link for a free credit report.

• Secondly, create a CIBIL account by providing your name, telephone number, email address, etc.

• Next, for identity verification, fill out the form providing your personal information like gender, postal address, PAN number, Aadhar card number, etc.

• Upon completion of the form, you must accept the terms and policies. Soon, the website will show the credit report containing your credit score. 

There are four major credit bureaus in India. Credit bureaus are licensed companies that follow different algorithms and generate their credit scores. Therefore, you may find a slight variation in the credit scores issued by different credit bureaus. 

The credit score range that most lenders and the bureaus take into consideration are

• 300-600 – Very low
• 601-700 – Low
• 701-760 – Fair
• 761-800 – Good
• 800 and above – Excellent

How safe is it to check credit scores online?

Many online apps are offering a free credit score check. However, remember to use reputable sources. 

Since you share confidential information to get your credit score, it’s important to use a legitimate website. Always be wary of unfamiliar websites. 

Don’t share payment information on any unknown website, which may signify a scam.

Refrain from using public wi-fi networks. Instead, you can use a virtual private network (VPN) while checking your credit score. 

It is important to understand credit score and CIBIL to maintain responsible credit behavior. A regular credit score check at an interval of 3 months will help you monitor your credit report and avoid financial issues.