How to Check Your Credit Score Without Lowering It
Published 11th of October 2012·Updated 12 April 2026
Reviewed by: Reviewed for accuracy April 2026
Checking your own credit score never lowers it. When you view your own credit report or score through Experian, ClearScore, Credit Karma, or any other consumer service, it registers as a soft search. Soft searches are not visible to lenders and have no impact on your credit file. Only hard searches, carried out by lenders when you apply for credit, can reduce your score.
Short Summary
There are two types of credit search: soft and hard. Checking your own score is always a soft search and has no effect on your credit file.
Hard searches are recorded when you formally apply for credit - a loan, credit card, mortgage, or mobile phone contract. Each hard search stays visible on your file for twelve months and can have a small negative effect on your score.
Multiple hard searches in a short period are a red flag to lenders. They suggest you may be applying for credit out of financial desperation. Spacing out applications avoids this problem.
All three UK credit reference agencies - Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion - offer free access to your credit score and report. You do not need to pay to check your credit.
Checking your score regularly is actually good practice. It helps you spot errors, track progress, and catch any unexpected changes, such as a fraudulent credit application in your name.
What is the difference between a soft search and a hard search?
A soft search is any credit check that does not affect your credit score. These include: checking your own score, eligibility checkers on comparison sites, and some identity verification checks. Soft searches may appear on your credit report but only you can see them - lenders cannot.
A hard search is a full credit check carried out when you apply for credit. The lender reviews your credit file in detail, and the search is recorded on your file for twelve months. Other lenders can see that a hard search took place. One or two hard searches per year are normal; six or more in a twelve-month period can concern lenders.
How do I check my credit score for free without affecting it?
You can check your credit score for free with all three credit reference agencies:
| Service | Agency | Cost | Score range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experian.co.uk | Experian | Free (basic account) | 0-999 |
| ClearScore | Equifax | Free | 0-1000 |
| Credit Karma | TransUnion | Free | 0-710 |
All three offer ongoing free monitoring with alerts when your score changes. Signing up and checking your score on any of these platforms is a soft search and will not affect your credit in any way.
Should I check all three agencies?
Yes, and it is free to do so. Different lenders report to different agencies, so your credit file may contain slightly different information at each one. An error at Equifax will not be visible when you check Experian. Checking all three gives you the most complete picture of your credit position and helps you catch any inconsistencies.
It takes around fifteen minutes to set up free accounts with all three services. After that, you can check whenever you wish.
What should I look for when I check my credit report?
When reviewing your credit report, check for:
- Accounts you do not recognise (potential identity fraud)
- Incorrect personal details such as wrong addresses or name spelling
- Payment records marked as missed or late when you did pay on time
- Outdated information that should have dropped off after six years
- Financial associations with people you are no longer connected to
If you find an error, you can raise a dispute directly with the credit reference agency. Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion are required to investigate disputes and correct genuine errors, usually within twenty-eight days.
Can eligibility checkers affect my credit score?
No. Eligibility checkers - available on MoneySavingExpert, MoneySuperMarket, Compare the Market, and directly through many lenders - use soft searches only. They show you how likely you are to be accepted for a product before you formally apply. Using them does not affect your credit score and does not leave any mark visible to lenders.
Using eligibility checkers before applying for credit is good practice. They reduce the risk of failed applications, which leave hard searches on your file without the benefit of being approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will checking my credit score every week hurt it?
No. You can check your own credit score as often as you like with no negative effect. It is always a soft search. Checking weekly is fine if you want to monitor progress closely, though most services only update monthly.
Do banks see my credit score when I check it myself?
No. When you check your own score, it is recorded as a soft search that only you can see. Lenders carry out their own hard search only when you submit a formal application for credit.
Is it safe to sign up to ClearScore or Credit Karma?
Yes. ClearScore and Credit Karma are legitimate, FCA-registered services. They are free because they earn revenue by recommending relevant financial products. You are under no obligation to take up any recommendations. Both services use your data in accordance with UK GDPR requirements.
What if I find a fraudulent account on my credit report?
Contact the credit reference agency immediately to raise a dispute. Also contact the lender directly to report the fraud. You can add a CIFAS protective registration to your credit file, which alerts lenders to verify identity more carefully before approving credit in your name. Cifas is the UK's fraud prevention service.
Do credit checks for rental properties affect my score?
Yes. Letting agents and landlords typically run a hard credit check as part of a tenant referencing process. This is a formal hard search and appears on your file. The effect is small and temporary, but if you are applying to multiple properties at once, the searches can add up.