How often do you check your FICO score?

[Squeezing Pennies]

Please vote o how often you check yours!

[Joebanker]

I have an Equifax subscription and check that bad boy everyday.

[huffydeb2003]

I usually check my FICO score once or twice a year.

[poundwise]

Originally Posted by Joebanker

I have an Equifax subscription and check that bad boy everyday.

o·ver·kill
(ō'vər-kĭl)
An excess of what is necessary or appropriate for a particular end.

[maat55]

I have never checked mine because it cost too much. I check my report once a year to make sure it's clean.

[tripods68]

On a need by need basis or every 4 or 8 years

[aida2003]

Originally Posted by maat55

I have never checked mine because it cost too much. I check my report once a year to make sure it's clean.

That's my reasoning, too.
However, since there're 3 bureaus, I try to check every 4 months. Which reminds me that I should've done this last weekend .

[fruitbowlk]

Once a year.

[disneysteve]

I've checked mine a couple of times because I was curious. Otherwise, no need to check it or to know it. I know it is good. I check my credit report periodically. Unless you are planning to apply for a loan in the near future, there is really no reason to know your score.

[aevans1206]

I pay attention to mine, but that's due to my need to rebuild my credit (in the hopes of one day owning a lovely home). And, to be honest, it's motivating. I have a subscription to a web site that allows a three credit report and updated score once a month. It's $9.95 (reasonable).

[stressedmama]

I check mine monthly only because my company paid for a 3 year subscription to Experian after some yahoo at work put sensitive data (direct deposit checking account numbers, SSN, names, address, etc) on his laptop (against company policy...that's what servers are for) and had it stolen.

[Thrif-t]

I've never checked mine because of the cost and really there was no reason. We are doing some remodeling and applied for a HEL and the I asked the loan officer and found out it was 791

[Pitman]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

Unless you are planning to apply for a loan in the near future, there is really no reason to know your score.

Exactly.

[sweeps]

Not true. Your FICO score is used for things other than taking out loans. Most notably auto and homeowner/renters insurance premiums.

I'm not advocating checking your score everyday, but completely neglecting it is not wise.

[Pitman]

Originally Posted by sweeps

Not true. Your FICO score is used for things other than taking out loans. Most notably auto and homeowner/renters insurance premiums.

I'm not advocating checking your score everyday, but completely neglecting it is not wise.

I agree, neglecting your FICO isn't the smartest decision, but on the other hand, checking your FICO monthly, to me, just doesn't make sense. Once or twice a year should be fine.

[cantretire]

Twice a year. FICOs are used for everything now, including employment. I like to see my score and check for errors/identity theft. It should be done at least once a year.

[pearlieq]

Originally Posted by sweeps

I'm not advocating checking your score everyday, but completely neglecting it is not wise.

I prefer to save myself money by checking the "source data" periodically. I order my annual reports at a 4 month rotation.

If I received a renewal notice for an insurance policy that seemed to have increased too much, I would investigate and go from there. But I'm not giving a (in my opinion) shady organization money to check a silly, arbitrary score as a matter of course.

One of the nice things about achieving a certain amount of financial security is that I can go "off the grid" if I choose to.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by sweeps

Your FICO score is used for things other than taking out loans. Most notably auto and homeowner/renters insurance premiums.

Originally Posted by cantretire

I like to see my score and check for errors/identity theft. It should be done at least once a year.

I agree 100% that your credit score is used for other things, but I think checking your credit REPORT is far more important than buying your score. cantretire is correct that you should be checking for errors and identity theft, but you do that by reviewing your report, which is free, not your score, which you have to pay for.

As I said, I have checked my score a couple of times purely out of curiosity, but I don't expect to do it again.

[Exile]

DW and I haven't checked our respective scores in quite a while becaise we don't think we should have to buy this data. It's infuriating to think that (un)Fair Isaac can get away with charging consumers for information that is such an integral part of our financial records. If consumers are allowed an annual free peek at our credit reports,doesn't it stand to reason that our FICO scores should be included in that profile?

Under the vaunted American "free enterprise" system, people can supposedly choose from competing brands to meet their needs. But since there is no real competiton with FICO, Fair Isaac is a monopoly. And to make matters worse we have no recourse in this matter and nowhere to turn for assistance or protection of our interests.

Despite appeals from consumer advocate groups to the FTC and to our lawmakers, it doesn't look as though things will change unless perhaps we get a more enlightened administration in November, one that is not in bed with the finance industry as is Dubya and his crew.

[mishi07]

Just once a year. (Or if I feel like it) but its really something thats to be done on a timely basis. Like your annual whole body checkup.