Starting July 21, 2011 as part of the broader financial regulatory overhaul, a new rule comes into effect.  If you’re turned down for a loan or don’t qualify for the best interest rate, the lender must send you a free copy of the credit score it used to make its decision. This applies to credit cards, auto loans, student loans—any type of credit-related decision that uses the information in your credit report. If you are applying for a mortgage, mortgage lenders must continue to provide free credit scores, even if you get the best loan terms possible.