Credit e loan score

Instead of simply disclosing your credit score as a customer service, most sites will make you pay for it. And while they have your attention, they'll try to sell you a raft of other pricey, credit-related stuff.

Fortunately, one site offers free, non-commercialized scores eloan.com. E-Loan also gives you detailed advice on what you can do to raise your score.

At the moment, you can get a free E-Loan score only once, so you might want to save it for something important.

The most widely used scoring systems are constructed by Fair, Isaac, in San Rafael, Calif., and applied to the data collected by each of the three leading credit bureaus -- Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.

Each score is a little bit different, because each bureau has slightly different information. Lenders often get all three scores and take the midpoint.

Here's what's available to you:

* E-Loan's free scores are constructed from credit reports, as analyzed by an independent company called CreditXpert.

* Fair, Isaac (FICO, at myfico.com) has done a deal with Equifax (equifax.com). At their Web sites, you can buy your score for $12.95.

It's good for 30 days and includes your current Equifax credit report. On FICO reports, you're given four general reasons, in descending order, for why your score is less than perfect.

* At Experian, credit scores should be available early in May (creditexpert.com). They'll cost $6, plus up to $8.50 if you also want a credit report.

* At Trans Union, scores are supposed to be available this summer. TU expects to give them to people who order a credit report (up to $8.50).