Free up our credit scores

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Americans are entitled to a free copy of their credit report once a year, but most have to pay for the number that matters most – the all-important FICO score that determines how much consumers will be charged for a mortgage or car loan, and if they can get one at all.

Some lenders have begun offering the FICO score free to existing customers. While that’s an improvement, the score used by 90 percent of lenders should be available to everyone at least once a year, just like credit reports.

For more than a decade, consumers have been able to obtain their credit history for free, once a year, from the three major credit bureaus. The credit bureaus are private, for-profit companies and as such are entitled to make money. But their rights bump up against those of the consumer,

Credit scores, including FICO, should be free to consumers, not just once a year, but all the time. The credit bureaus have plenty of other customers to keep their revenue streams flowing.