Credit Karma credit report
- Monthly fee
- Free
- Trial period
- N/A
- Report information included
- TransUnion
- Update frequency
- Weekly
Our verdict
Here's what you get from Credit Karma's free credit report and credit score service.
Credit Karma is part of the free credit report revolution, offering free access for life to your credit report and TransUnion credit score, as well as personalised alerts and advice.
Of course, there's no such thing as a free lunch, and as with most free credit report providers, Credit Karma also acts as a broker for other credit products. It makes money by recommending loans and credit cards to you based on your current credit score. This may be useful for those looking to take out a credit product, or a slight inconvenience for those who simply want easy and free access to their credit report.
Pros
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Credit score is updated weekly
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No account fees
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Includes TransUnion credit score
Cons
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Commission-based model
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No automated identity fraud warnings
Details
Product details
| Monthly fee | Free |
| Trial period | N/A |
| Score information included | TransUnion |
| Report information included | TransUnion |
| Update frequency | Weekly |
| Fraud alerts | |
| Score alerts | |
| App | |
| App details | Monitor your credit score and see personalised card and loan offers |
| Dark web monitor | |
| Social media monitor |
What is Credit Karma?
Credit Karma is a credit reference agency and broker that was originally founded in the US, but has expanded to Canada and the UK. It offers free access to your credit report for life, including your TransUnion credit score, as well as advice on how you can improve your credit rating.
Like a number of other agencies, Credit Karma operates as a credit broker, and will recommend credit products from other lenders that you’re likely to be approved for based on your credit score and profile.
How does a Credit Karma credit report work?
Your Credit Karma credit report is a record of all your financial history for the last 6 years, which is then converted into a rating known as a credit score, based on data from TransUnion.
You’ll be able to get your TransUnion credit score once per week and can also get alerts sent to you whenever your credit file is updated. Credit Karma also offers help for those looking to improve their credit score and recommends personalised financial products based on your current eligibility.
How do I get a Credit Karma credit report?
You can apply for your Credit Karma credit report for free via the Credit Karma website. You’ll first need to create a Credit Karma account, and will also need to provide some personal information to verify your identity as part of your application.
Once your account has been set up, you’ll be able to access your Credit Karma credit report online each week.
Is Credit Karma any good?
Credit Karma offers free ongoing access to your credit report and TransUnion credit score, as well as personalised notifications whenever your credit file is updated. Whereas other major credit reference agencies charge a monthly fee for access to your credit report, Credit Karma is always free to use, and instead makes money by acting as a credit broker.
How much does Credit Karma cost?
Unlike the major credit reference agencies, Credit Karma is totally free, and will never charge you for access to your credit report or credit score. Instead of charging a monthly fee, it operates as a credit broker, and receives a commission any time you take out a credit product that it recommends to you.
Does using Credit Karma affect my credit score?
No, whenever you access your Credit Karma credit report or check your TransUnion credit score, it is considered a “soft” credit search, which means it has no impact on your credit score.
How do I cancel Credit Karma?
You can close your Credit Karma account by first logging in to your account on the Credit Karma website. You’ll then need to go to “Profile & Settings”, click on “My Profile” and then select “Close My Account”. You can then confirm your decision by clicking “Yes”. There’s more about this on the Credit Karma site.
How do I improve my credit score?
If your credit report or credit score is lower than you’d like it to be, there are a couple of things you can do to help improve it, including:
- Paying your bills on time
- Closing any unused credit accounts, such as old credit cards or bank accounts
- Registering on the electoral roll and making sure your address is up to date
- Regularly checking your credit report for any errors
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