Rent Cred analyze the ways to build your credit score. They follow the process where a lender will use your credit score to determine if they will lend you money and how much interest they will charge you to borrow it. Your credit score is a number calculated from the information in your credit report. It shows the risk you represent to a lender compared to other consumers. Knowing your credit score before a major purchase, such as a car or a home, may help you to negotiate lower interest rates. You usually need to pay a fee when you order your credit score online from the two credit bureaus. Some companies offer to provide your credit score for free. Others may ask you to sign up for a paid service to see your score. Make sure you do your research before providing a company with your information. Carefully read the terms of use and privacy policy to know how your personal information will be used and stored. For example, find out if your information will be sold to a third party. This could result in you receiving unexpected offers for products and services.