If you pull your credit directly through the credit bureau, like on the website for Equifax, Transunion or Experian, it does not effect your credit score at all. It only effects it when an outside company pulls your credit report.

If you use the annualcreditreport.com site, it does not hurt your credit and it's free.

I have been using a credit monitoring site for years. I can look at my reports and scores any time I want. It's about $16 a month but well worth it for the security.