I got my credit score when I visited a car dealership. You’ll probably need to tell them your SSN.
By law, you are entitled to one free credit report each year but that is *not* the same as the credit score. The credit report will tell you what is on your credit record going back a long time. The credit score is not on there. The credit score (used to help determine loan rates) is something supplied to people looking to set you up with financing on a major purchase (home, car, etc.).
Both pieces of information are useful but they are also fluid, meaning they are subject to change whenever new data comes in.
But be careful. Using a vendor results in a negative ping as each time is recorded by the reporting agencies. They assume each look at your credit reports is actually seeking credit and the more looks the lower they will drop your scores.
Looking at your own credit is not a negative ping. If a high score is your goal it is best to use the once annual freebie. If you want to see your reports more often it is best to actually pay the agencies so it is recorded as you looking and not a credit provider.