Q: Why do I have to buy anything from MyFICO.com web site to get my FICO score?

All I want to know is what my score is and where can I get it for free?

A: Unfortunately, you cannot get your FICO score for free at this time. Fair Isaacs, the company that invented the FICO score, is a privately held company and they charge for access to your score.

However, my guess is that within the next few years, you’ll be able to get a free copy of your FICO score once a year, just as you are now able to get a free copy of your credit report once a year from each of the three credit reporting bureaus. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com. Credit scores have become so important to lenders and consumers that Congress is mulling legislation that would require this number be given freely to consumers at least once a year.

By the way, when you get a copy of your free credit report at annualcreditreport.com, you will be given an opportunity to also get a copy of your credit score. The price is $6.95 and that’s the least expensive way to gain access to this important number.

If you get turned down for credit, the lender is supposed to tell you why you’ve been turned down and show you a copy of your credit history. But typically you won’t see your credit score.