There is an updated version here.
Here are all of the ways to get a free FICO score, FICO scores are used in 90% of all lending decisions. If you want a FAKO score (the general name given to a score not used by lenders) then we suggest using one of the free credit monitoring sites (such as: Quizzle, Credit Karma or Credit Sesame). We also let you know the type of FICO score they offer.
Contents
Openly Available
Discover recently launched a new website called creditscorecard.com. This offers everybody (no need to be a Discover cardholder) access to a free Experian FICO score. It’s updated the later of every thirty days or when you log in. More information here.
Credit Cards
A number of credit cards now offer free FICO scores for card holders. This is part of the FICO open access program. The following cards offer free scores:
American Express
American Express is currently doing a pilot program, FICO scores are available to some selected cardholders. It’s not possible to participate in this program unless you were chosen. This score is based on your Experian data, we’re currently unsure on the specific model they are using.
Bank of America
They will offer free FICO scores to cardholders “later this year”. Not sure what model or credit bureau they will be used.
Barclaycard
All Barclays cards come free FICO scores, they all use the same scoring model which is TransUnion Classic Risk Score 2008 (TU-08). These scores update at least every 60 day.
Chase
Chase offer free FICO scores to their Chase Slate cardholders (and have no plans to roll this out to any other credit cards). This is an Experian classic 2008 model (EX-08) and is updated once monthly. If you don’t have access to the credit monitoring dashboard (which is where you can see your score) simply call the number on the back of your card to request it.
Citi
Citi uses the Equifax bankcard enhanced 2008 model. You’ll be able to access these free scores if you have a consumer Citi / AAdvantage credit card, there are two exclusions:
- Business credit card holders will not have access to this score
- Citi Prestige credit card holders will also not have access to this score
Discover
- Discover ITÂ TransUnion Classic Risk Score 2008 (TU-08)
- Discover More TransUnion Classic Risk Score 2008 (TU-08)
First National Bank Omaha
All of their cards  come with a free FICO score. They are offering an Experian Bankcard Enhanced FICO score 2008 ((EX-08 bankcard enhanced, range of 250-900). Click here to view all cards that FNBO offers (there are a lot more than this, as they offer a lot of co-branded cards not listed there).
Huntington Bank
They only offer one credit card: Huntington Voice (you can pick your own 3% cash back category) and this comes with a free Equifax FICO Score. It has a range of 300-850, meaning it is a classic score but we are unsure on which version it is (most likely 2008).
Only available in the following states: Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania & West Virginia.
PenFed
All of their cards come with a free FICO NextGen score based on Equifax data. This score is updated whenever PenFed requests a new score for risk analysis purposes.
Merrick Bank
Both of the non secured credit cards offered by Merrick Bank come with a free monthly FICO score. Unfortunately you need to be invited to apply for one of these cards. The FICO score they offer is a TransUnion Bankcard Enhanced FICO 2008 score (TU-08 Bankcard enhanced,range of 250-900). Click here to view Merrick Bank credit cards.
PSECU
All PSECU credit cards come with a free FICO score. You must be a resident of Pennsylvania to become a member of this credit union. They offer a Experian Classic Risk Score 2004 (EX-04).
Walmart
- Walmart Discover® TransUnion Classic Risk Score 2008 (TU-08)
- Walmart Credit Card TransUnion Classic Risk Score 2008 (TU-08)
Wells Fargo
All Wells Fargo cards come with a free FICO Bankcard Score 2 based on Experian data. Unlike the classic score, this FICO score has a range of 250-900 (classic is 300-850). Only available via the app currently. Wells Fargo deposit account holders receive access to their FICO 9 score as well.
Bank Accounts
DCU Checking
If you have a DCU checking and you have either a DCU credit card or receive a direct deposit into your checking account you’ll receive a free Equifax Classic Risk Score 2008 (EQ-08). You need to be a member to apply for this checking account.
[Read: How To Join DCU Credit Union]
Partners 1st
This credit union offers a free TransUnion FICO score, we’re unsure of the exact type they offer. You must be a member to receive this score. Click here for more eligibility requirements.
PenFed
All of their checking accounts come with a free FICO NextGen score based on Equifax data. This score is updated whenever PenFed requests a new score for risk analysis purposes.
Save and Invest
Save and Invest offers two different FICO scores: TransUnion Classic Risk Score 1998 (TU-98) and Equifax Classic Risk Score 2004 (Eq-04) to active military members and their spouses in partnership with myFICO.
Unitius Community Credit Union
If you have a unitius checking account, are enrolled for estatements and have one of the following:Â Credit Card, Vehicle Loan, Personal Loan, Home Equity Loan/Line, or Mortgage Loan with Unitius you are eligible for a free Equifax Classic 2004 FICO score (EQ-04).
Auto Loan
Ally Auto
Ally Auto Financing now provides its customers with Experian Auto 2 FICO score, they only update this score quarterly rather than monthly though.
Hyundai & Kia
If you enroll in the “College Grad” programs offered by Hyundai Motor Finance or Kia Motors Finance then you can get free access to your FICO score which will be updated on a quarterly basis. You can find more about their college grad programs at the following links:
Through Adverse Action
If you are denied for credit or are given less than favorable terms, the lender must provide you with a notice of adverse action. This notice must contain the reason as to why you were denied or offered less than favorable terms, in most cases one of the reasons why you will be denied is because of your credit score. As such lenders must tell you the credit score they used and the range of that score. Because 90% of lenders use the FICO scoring algorithm the chances you’ll receive your FICO score is quite high. The type of score you receive will be dependent on what the lender used in their decision. It should be noted that this is a terrible way to check your score, as it requires you being denied for a loan or credit card before you can view your score.
By Applying For A Mortgage
When you apply for a mortgage, the lender must provide you with all the scores they used in the decision making process. Most lenders will pull all three of your credit reports (and scores) when you apply for a mortgage, meaning you’ll get a score from Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. Obviously applying for a mortgage just to get your FICO score is pointless, you should fine out what your scores are before you apply for such a big loan and it’s one of the few times we suggest actually paying for and getting access to all three of your scores.
Through Your Student Loan
Sallie Mae offers a free TransUnion FICO score to borrowers who have a loan disbursed in the 2014-2015 academic year.
Other
State Employees Credit Union of North Carolina
You must have an active lending relationship with SECU to qualify. The score is based on your Equifax credit score and is updated on a quarterly basis (around February 15th, May 15th, August 15th and November 15th). More information can be found here. They use the FICO classic 2008 model. (EQ-08). Know of any that I missed? Let me know in the comments. This post was originally posted on the 18th of February, 2014. We keep this page regularly updated, which is why it has been reposted to the front page.
myFICO gives FICO Score 8 based on Equifax data for free.
Experian gives FICO Score 8 based on Experian data for free.
Navy Federal CC holders can view their Fico9 (Equifax) once per mo/ via the mobile app – open CC account and click “Show More Details”
Star One CU gives FICO® Score 8 based on Experian data.
ebates card used to give TU fico score but got an email today that it (now rakuten) will change to vantagescore
Chase Slate had FICO score but looks like they removed it and replaced it with Credit Journey (Vantage Score V3 on TU) on May 2019.
So far the best combination (easiest to apply for) that covers the big 3 CBs giving real FICO8 are:
EX: EX app, which gives realtime credit score whenever a pull occurs, as well as realtime notification of HPs.
TU: BoA, Discover
EQ: DCU, Citibank
Alternatively without any credit card / bank account applications you can do EX app + Credit Karma but it will give you FAKO (Vantagescore 3.0) for TU+EQ.
Oh thanks for the quick overview! So one thing that’s interesting about Discover is that if you signed up through as a card holder it gives you TU but if you signed up not as a card holder it gives you EX. I don’t have a Discover credit card so it gives me EX. I think if you have a discover credit card you can sign up for both.
myFICO gives EQ for free.
The one from BofaA is a “FICO® Score 8 based on TransUnion® data”
Navy Federal Credit Union gives me a Fico 9 Experian score. I have checking, savings, certificates, and credit cards with NFCU.
I’d imagine that’s tied to the credit card. I have savings and checking and no credit score/report info.
Wells Fargo is rolling out free Experian FICO scores (range 300-850) to non-cc customers. It will be available to customers with “deposit, investment, retirement, loan, and credit products.” No credit report or anything. Just score and score history. Currently it is limited to employees, but it is slated for wide release.
Intuit Mint offers a monthly FICO score from Equifax.
Mint is a fako too. I thought it was real but its not