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.

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

More information link

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

More information link

They will offer free FICO scores to cardholders “later this year”. Not sure what model or credit bureau they will be used.

Barclaycard

More information link.

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

More information link

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

More information link

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

More information link.

Discover IT TransUnion Classic Risk Score 2008 (TU-08)

Discover More TransUnion Classic Risk Score 2008 (TU-08)

First National Bank Omaha

More information link.

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

More information link

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

More information link.

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

More information link.

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

More information link.

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

More information link.

Walmart Discover ® TransUnion Classic Risk Score 2008 (TU-08)

TransUnion Classic Risk Score 2008 (TU-08) Walmart Credit Card TransUnion Classic Risk Score 2008 (TU-08)

Wells Fargo

More information link

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

More information link.

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

More information link.

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

More information link.

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

More information link.

If you have a unitius checking account, are enrolled for estatements and have one of the following: 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.