Look for links on the first page of the Web site, which allows you to print the report. While getting a credit report usually comes at no extra cost, these companies are allowed to advertise other paid services, such as a credit monitoring service, which goes for a small monthly fee. A person s credit score ranges from 500 and 850, and this scale numerically defines a person s credit worthiness. 5 Ways to Protect A Good Credit Score Credit has been tough to obtain these days, especially with a moribund real estate industry, and a lingering recession that s continuing to do a lot of damage to investor and consumer confidence. Whether you want to buy a new home or car, or wish to avail of a personal or student loan, it pays to have a good credit score. Standard Credit Score Ranges Credit scores generally vary a little bit, from one credit reporting agency to another. To develop the credit scoring system, a creditor generally weighs each of the major factors, based on how each of the factors predicts whether a person is deemed a good credit risk. Credit scores generally have a range between 300 and 850. Today, a number of accredited credit bureaus gather and sell credit information, which are often stored in large databases, where prospective lenders, employers, insurers, government agencies, courts, and even landlords can easily open up and take a look at their client s files. An individual can also get his or her own credit report from major credit agencies like Experian, Equifax, TransUnion and other small companies that serve regional or local markets. During the past five years, more and more people have filed for bankruptcy, either because of the lingering recession, or because of personal financial blunders. While filing for bankruptcy may help an individual get a fresh start, it also has its share of long-term negative effects, especially on their credit score. Also look out for any payment trends that may raise red flags among creditors, such as shifting from paying full each month, to only making minimum payments. If you have been making on-time payments to suppliers and creditors, this should be fully reflected in your profile. Company Profile When evaluating your company profile, verify the details for accuracy, such as business name and length of doing business, address, telephone number and industry type.