Why Credit Monitoring Matters and How to Do it For Free

Most people don’t think about their credit score until they need it. Maybe you’re applying for a loan, trying to rent an apartment, or getting ready to buy a car. But the truth is, your credit report can change at any time and if you’re not watching it, you might not find out something’s wrong until it’s too late.

Credit monitoring gives you a simple way to stay ahead. It helps you spot mistakes, catch a fraud early, and understand how your everyday habits affect your score. And if you’re a Greenfield Cooperative Bank customer, it’s something you already have access to. It’s built right into your online and mobile banking, and it’s completely free.

It’s Not Just About Loans

People usually associate credit scores with borrowing, but your credit can affect other parts of life too. Landlords look at it. Some employers might review it. Even utility companies and insurance providers sometimes check your credit before deciding what to offer you.

So keeping track of it just makes sense. And the earlier you spot a problem, the easier it is to fix.

What Credit Monitoring Can Help You Catch

Here’s the kind of stuff credit monitoring helps bring to your attention:

• A new account you didn’t open
• A credit card balance that suddenly jumps
• A late payment that wasn’t actually late
• A loan inquiry you don’t recognize

Some of these are just errors. Others might be signs of identity theft. Either way, they can hurt your score if you don’t notice them. When you’re monitoring regularly, you can catch changes as they happen and take action right away.

How to Monitor Your Credit for Free

If you bank with Greenfield Cooperative Bank, there’s no need to sign up for a separate service or pay for credit alerts. You can check your score and full report anytime through SavvyMoney, which is built into your online banking and mobile app.

It’s easy to use and gives you access to:

• Your up-to-date credit score
• Alerts when something changes
• Your full credit report
• A score simulator to see how decisions might impact your score over time

You don’t need to enter your credit card. You don’t need to create a new login. And checking your score this way doesn’t hurt it.

Take Control of Your Credit

You don’t need to wait for a big purchase to start paying attention to your credit. Monitoring it regularly helps protect your identity, catch errors early, and stay ready for whatever comes next.

Learn more about SavvyMoney here. If you’re already using online or mobile banking with us, just log in and look for the credit score tool. It’s one of the easiest things you can do to stay informed, and it doesn’t cost a thing.