Checking your credit score regularly is a smart financial habit. It empowers you to understand your financial health, spot potential errors, and even qualify for better rates on loans and credit cards. If you're a Wells Fargo customer, you're in luck! They offer a convenient way to access your FICO® Score for free.
So, are you ready to take control of your financial future and get a clear picture of your creditworthiness? Let's dive in!
How to Check Your Credit Score with Wells Fargo: A Step-by-Step Guide
Wells Fargo provides its eligible customers with free access to their FICO® Score through a service called Credit Close-Up℠. This service not only provides your score but also offers credit monitoring alerts and access to your Experian® credit report. Here's how to access it:
Step 1: Ensure Your Eligibility and Enrollment in Wells Fargo Online
Before you can view your credit score, there are a couple of prerequisites.
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Sub-heading 1.1: Be an Eligible Wells Fargo Account Holder. You must have an eligible Wells Fargo consumer account. This typically includes deposit accounts, loan accounts, and credit accounts. If you're unsure if your account qualifies, it's always best to contact Wells Fargo directly for clarification.
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Sub-heading 1.2: Enroll in Wells Fargo Online. Accessing Credit Close-Up℠ is done entirely through your Wells Fargo Online account. If you haven't already, you'll need to enroll. This involves setting up a username and password to manage your accounts online. It's a quick and secure process that opens up a world of digital banking convenience.
Step 2: Log In to Wells Fargo Online
This is where the magic begins!
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Sub-heading 2.1: Visit the Wells Fargo Website. Open your preferred web browser and navigate to the official Wells Fargo website (
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Sub-heading 2.2: Enter Your Username and Password. Locate the "Sign On" button or section, typically in the upper right corner of the homepage. Enter your Wells Fargo Online username and password in the designated fields. Ensure you're on the legitimate Wells Fargo site to avoid phishing scams.
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Sub-heading 2.3: Complete Any Security Verifications. Depending on your security settings, you might be prompted to complete additional verification steps, such as entering a one-time passcode sent to your phone or answering security questions. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully.
Step 3: Navigate to Credit Close-Up℠
Once you're securely logged in, finding your credit score is straightforward.
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Sub-heading 3.1: Look for "Credit Close-Up" or "View My Score". Within your Wells Fargo Online dashboard, look for a section related to "Credit," "Credit Score," or specifically "Credit Close-Up℠." Wells Fargo often makes this easily accessible from the main account summary page. You might see a prominent button or a link in the navigation menu.
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Sub-heading 3.2: Click to Access the Service. Click on the link or button that leads you to the Credit Close-Up℠ service. This will take you to a dedicated page where your credit information is presented.
Step 4: View Your FICO® Score and Credit Report
Congratulations! You're now on the page where you can see your credit details.
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Sub-heading 4.1: Review Your FICO® Score. Your FICO® Score will be prominently displayed. Remember, this score is FICO® Score 9 from Experian®, a widely used credit scoring model. Wells Fargo emphasizes that this score is for educational purposes and may not be the exact score they use for lending decisions, as lenders often use various scoring models.
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Sub-heading 4.2: Explore Your Credit Report. Credit Close-Up℠ also grants you access to your full Experian® credit report. This is a crucial component, as it provides a detailed breakdown of your credit history, including accounts, payment history, credit inquiries, and public records. Take your time to review this report thoroughly.
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Sub-heading 4.3: Utilize Credit Monitoring Alerts and Personalized Tips. The service often includes credit monitoring alerts, which notify you if Experian® detects certain events that could impact your credit score. You may also find personalized tips to help you maintain or improve your score. These insights can be incredibly valuable for managing your credit responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about checking your credit score with Wells Fargo:
How to access my credit score if I don't have a Wells Fargo account?
If you're not a Wells Fargo customer, you can still get free access to your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) annually at AnnualCreditReport.com.
How to enroll in Wells Fargo Online?
To enroll in Wells Fargo Online, visit the Wells Fargo website and look for the "Enroll Now" or "Sign Up" option. You'll typically need your account number and personal information to get started.
How to find the Credit Close-Up℠ service within Wells Fargo Online?
Once logged in, look for links or tabs labeled "Credit," "Credit Score," or "Credit Close-Up℠." These are usually located in the main navigation or on your account summary page.
How to understand the FICO® Score I see from Wells Fargo?
The FICO® Score provided by Wells Fargo is FICO® Score 9 from Experian. This is a common and reputable scoring model. Higher scores generally indicate lower credit risk to lenders.
How to ensure checking my score doesn't hurt it?
Checking your own credit score through services like Wells Fargo's Credit Close-Up℠ is considered a "soft inquiry" and does not negatively impact your credit score. Hard inquiries, which occur when you apply for new credit, can temporarily lower your score.
How to check my credit report for errors?
Carefully review all accounts, balances, and payment histories on your credit report. If you find any inaccuracies, dispute them directly with the credit bureau (Experian in this case) and the reporting creditor.
How to improve my credit score based on Wells Fargo's tips?
Wells Fargo's Credit Close-Up℠ may offer personalized tips. Generally, improving your score involves paying bills on time, keeping credit utilization low (using less of your available credit), and having a long credit history.
How often can I check my credit score with Wells Fargo?
Wells Fargo's Credit Close-Up℠ typically provides a monthly refresh of your FICO® Score and Experian® credit report, allowing you to track changes over time.
How to understand the difference between a credit score and a credit report?
A credit score is a three-digit number that summarizes your creditworthiness at a specific point in time. A credit report is a detailed history of your credit accounts, payment behavior, and other financial information that is used to calculate your score.
How to get help if I have issues accessing my credit score through Wells Fargo?
If you encounter any problems, the best course of action is to contact Wells Fargo customer service directly. They can assist with technical issues, eligibility questions, or navigation within their online banking platform.
