COSTA MESA, Calif., Jan. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- freecreditscore.com™ today announced the findings of a recent survey that polled Americans about their understanding of credit scores and the actions that impact those scores. According to the survey, most respondents (83 percent) have checked their credit scores; however, nearly half of the respondents (42 percent) want to improve credit scores but don't know how.

"The survey is an eye-opener to the fact that many people think about credit on a regular basis but don't feel empowered to take control of their credit scores," said Ken Chaplin, senior vice president of marketing for freecreditscore.com. "We've enhanced the freecreditscore.com website and launched our new, free Score Planner™ tool to remove the mystery around credit scores, and help members and nonmembers alike take steps to better understand how their actions impact their credit score."

Additional findings from the survey provide insights into credit awareness and credit usage. Sixty-five percent of respondents indicated that they consider their credit score when engaging in credit-related activities such as maxing out a card, applying for a new card or skipping a payment. When it comes to gender and credit, women (68 percent) are more likely than men (61 percent) to consider their credit score before making credit usage decisions.

Maintaining credit scores takes dedication, time and planning; the results can be invaluable. A few simple tips from freecreditscore.com are well worth considering:

• Monitor credit scores throughout the year. More than one-quarter (28 percent) of survey respondents have never checked their credit scores, primarily because they don't see a need. That's a risky approach when lenders use credit scores to gauge an individual's financial reliability. Ignoring one's credit score my lead to an unpleasant surprise when making a large purchase or applying for a loan.  
• Utilize online tools to stay on plan. Consumers have a variety of online tools at their fingertips that can help them take control of personal finances. The patented freecreditscore.com Score Planner, which is available to both members and nonmembers, is unique in that it shows consumers what actions can impact credit scores and by how much. This information can help them make more informed financial decisions.  
• If in doubt, check it out. Monitor your financial statements regularly, and if something doesn't look right, take action immediately. Great credit takes time to establish but can be unraveled quickly by identity theft. Keeping a close eye on financial statements and taking action if you see something amiss can help you protect your credit and your identity.  

About freecreditscore.com

freecreditscore.com is part of a family of online consumer credit reporting sites belonging to ConsumerInfo.com, Inc., an Experian company. ConsumerInfo.com, Inc. was founded in 1995 to give consumers quick, easy and inexpensive access to their credit profile. It is now the leading provider of online consumer credit reports, credit scores, credit monitoring and other credit-related information. ConsumerInfo.com, Inc. provides credit monitoring to its more than 3.1 million members and has delivered more than 20 million credit reports on the Web. As part of the Experian family, it continues to grow its membership base and develop innovative products to help consumers better understand and manage their credit.

About Experian

Experian^® is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients around the world. The Group helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score, and protect against identity theft.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended 31 March 2012 was US$4.5 billion. Experian employs approximately 17,000 people in 44 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; California, US; and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

For more information, visit http://www.experianplc.com.

Experian and the Experian marks used herein are service marks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

Contacts:

Corie Jackson
Edelman PR
1 323 202 1075 (office)
1 818 259 0631 (cell)
Corie.Jackson@edelman.com

Becky Frost
freecreditscore.com
1 949 202 7296 (cell)
becky.frost@experianinteractive.com

SOURCE freecreditscore.com