There's a 100-Point Difference Between Two of My Credit Scores. Here's Why (2024)

Because of different scoring systems, you may have one credit score that's much higher than another.

Credit scores are a complicated subject. Even the way we refer to them isn't the most accurate. Most people, financial writers included, use the term "credit score." But there is no single, defining credit score. There are actually many types of credit scores for every consumer, and they're often significantly different.

To give a firsthand example, I recently applied for a Chase credit card. I monitor several of my credit scores, so I know that at the time, I had a FICO® Score of 795 and a VantageScore of 827. Those are the two most widely known credit scoring systems, but Chase sent me a letter saying it checked another type of score. It was my Card Acquisition Risk Score V2, where I had a score of 894.

That's just about a 100-point difference between my FICO® Score and my Card Acquisition Risk Score. Although this may seem crazy, it's easier to understand with some knowledge about how credit scores work.

The many different types of credit scores

The first thing to know about credit scores is that there are multiple credit score models. Each scoring model is a way of rating a consumer's creditworthiness based on the information in their credit file. It's basically a formula. For example, one scoring model may base 35% of your credit score on your payment history, whereas another bases 40% of your score on that factor. These are the two most popular credit score models:

FICO® Score (this is the most widely used type of credit score by lenders)
VantageScore

Then, there are the less common score models, such as the Card Acquisition Risk Score V2 that Chase used with me. That is a credit score designed specifically by Chase.

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Why your credit score can vary by credit bureau

So far, we've gone over the different credit score models but haven't covered the companies that actually calculate your credit scores. For FICO® Scores and VantageScores, there are three credit bureaus that handle this: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Each credit bureau combines a scoring model with the file it has on you to calculate that type of credit score. Let's say you're applying for a loan, and the lender wants your FICO® Score 8. The lender uses Experian. Experian would take the information it has on you and run it through the FICO® Score 8 model. The result is your Experian FICO® Score 8.

You also have an Equifax FICO® Score 8 and a TransUnion FICO® Score 8. Would these all be the same?

Not necessarily. The credit bureaus may not have the exact same information on you. A creditor could be reporting your payments to just one or two of them, instead of all three. If your credit file is different with each credit bureau, then your credit score might be different as well.

How to get good credit scores across the board

To recap, you have a bunch of different credit scores, and it'd be nearly impossible to keep track of them all. The good news is that you don't have to.

Even though credit scores aren't exactly the same, they're all based on similar factors. That means they also tend to reward the same financial behaviors. Here are some of the typical factors that go into your credit scores:

Payment history on credit accounts (credit cards and loans)
Credit utilization ratio, or how much of your total credit you use
Age of your credit accounts, including the average age and the age of your oldest account
Credit mix, or whether you have both credit cards and installment loans or just one of the two
Recent applications for new credit

You can get good credit with every type of credit score by following a few simple steps:

Pay your bills on time, especially credit card and loan bills. This will build your payment history, which is the most important factor in most scoring models.
Don't carry large balances on your credit cards. Ideally, try not to use more than 20% of your credit. If you have $10,000 in total credit across your cards, your total balances should always be $2,000 or less.
Keep your credit cards open when possible. In particular, you should hang on to the credit cards you've had the longest.

Now that you know about types of credit scores, you won't be confused if you see one of your scores that's different from another. Remember also that there's no need to stay on top of every credit score. Even if that was an option, it wouldn't be the best use of your time.

It's better to pick one or two free ways to get your credit score. Monitoring a FICO® Score is recommended, since that's the type of score lenders use most, but you can also check your VantageScore. You won't know all your credit scores, but just monitoring one should give you a solid idea of where you're at. And if you stick to those financial habits mentioned above, you'll be on your way to good credit with every scoring model.

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As an expert in credit scoring and financial matters, I can provide valuable insights into the complex world of credit scores. The article you shared discusses the variability in credit scores and the different scoring models that contribute to this diversity. I'll break down the key concepts covered in the article:

Credit Score Models:
- There are various credit score models, each employing a distinct formula to assess a consumer's creditworthiness.
- The two most prevalent models are the FICO® Score and VantageScore. These models use different algorithms to calculate credit scores.
Variations in Credit Scores:
- The article illustrates a real-life example of a significant difference in credit scores when applying for a Chase credit card.
- The author mentions having a FICO® Score of 795 and a VantageScore of 827, but the lender used a different model, the Card Acquisition Risk Score V2, resulting in a score of 894.
- This discrepancy highlights that credit scores can vary based on the scoring model used.
Different Credit Score Versions:
- Both FICO® Scores and VantageScores have multiple versions. For instance, FICO® Score 8 is the most widely used version, while VantageScore 3.0 is commonly used.
- Different industries may use specialized FICO® Scores, such as the FICO® Auto Score designed specifically for auto loans.
Credit Score Scales:
- Credit scores are not universal, and the scales can differ. For example, the traditional range is 300 to 850, but the Card Acquisition Risk Score V2 used by Chase runs from 250 to 900.
- The varying scales contribute to the observed differences in credit scores.
Credit Bureaus and Score Calculation:
- Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are the three major credit bureaus that calculate FICO® Scores and VantageScores.
- Each bureau may have slightly different information, leading to variations in credit scores even when using the same scoring model.
Factors Affecting Credit Scores:
- The article lists common factors that influence credit scores, including payment history, credit utilization ratio, age of credit accounts, credit mix, and recent credit applications.
- Consistently practicing good financial habits, such as timely bill payments and responsible credit card usage, can positively impact credit scores across different models.
Monitoring Credit Scores:
- The importance of monitoring credit scores is emphasized, with a recommendation to focus on key models like FICO® Score, as it is widely used by lenders.
- Emphasizes that even if you can't monitor all your scores, tracking one or two key scores provides a solid understanding of your credit standing.

In summary, understanding the diverse landscape of credit score models, versions, and scales is crucial for consumers to navigate and improve their creditworthiness effectively.