Which statement is most consistent with the rule that credit scores are not required on request?

• A. Credit reporting agencies are not obligated to provide scores on request
• B. Consumers can always obtain their score for free
• C. Scores are always included in free annual credit reports
• D. Agencies must provide scores upon request to all consumers

Answer: (A)

Credit reports and credit scores are treated differently under the law. Consumers have the right to access their credit reports, but there is no requirement that a credit score be provided just because a request is made. This means credit reporting agencies are not obligated to furnish a score on request, even though you can obtain copies of your own credit report.

That’s why the statement stating agencies are not obligated to provide scores on request is the best fit. You can typically get your free annual credit report, but your credit score is not guaranteed to be included or provided for free. In practice, scores may be offered by lenders or paid services, but there’s no universal obligation to provide a score to every consumer on request.

The other options imply guarantees that don’t exist: you aren’t guaranteed a free score, scores aren’t always included in free annual reports, and agencies aren’t required to provide scores to all consumers on request.