How often is a credit score updated, and how can one obtain a free copy of their credit report and score?

Credit scores are typically updated on a monthly basis by the credit bureaus. The three main credit bureaus Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are required by law to provide consumers with one free credit report every 12 months upon request.

To obtain a free copy of your credit report, you can visit AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the only website authorized by federal law to provide free credit reports. You can request a report from all three credit bureaus at once, or you can stagger your requests throughout the year to monitor your credit throughout the year.

In addition, many credit card companies and financial institutions provide free credit scores as a service to their customers. There are also various websites and apps that provide free credit scores, although it is important to make sure that they are reputable and use a legitimate scoring model.