Estimate your credit score with this tool...but buyer beware

Bankrate.com has a credit score estimator provided by FairIsaac, the company responsible for calculating your credit score. Now before you run right over there to use the tool.... beware that I think this is just a gimmick to convince you to pay for your actual score. Don't do that! They're charging $15.95 or more, depending on the product you buy, and I think those products are a ripoff.

But if you want to get an idea of where your current credit score might fall, this is a good tool. I tried it out, and it was accurate. You could also use the tool to get an idea of where your score might fall if you make some improvements to your credit history.

The tool will ask you about your loans and credit cards: when you got your first one, what percent of your available credit has been used, whether you have delinquent payments. Again, this is a good tool to get an idea of where your credit score currently is. Just don't get sucked into buying the products they're offering.

Tracy L. Coenen, CPA, MBA, CFE performs fraud examinations and financial investigations for her company Sequence Inc. Forensic Accounting, and is the author of Essentials of Corporate Fraud.