• A credit score is a number that expresses your credit information at one point in time. It indicates the risk you represent for lenders, compared with other consumers, on a scale from 300 to 900. High scores on this scale are good. The higher your score, the lower the risk for the lender.

Why do your credit report and credit score matter?

• Credit card issuers, auto dealerships and mortgage lenders will check your credit score before deciding how much they are willing to lend you and at what interest rate.

• Insurance companies, landlords and employers may also look at your credit report to see how financially responsible you are before issuing an insurance policy, renting out an apartment or giving you a job.