Does Credit Karma show your real credit score?

Asked by: Katrina Kunze  |  Last update: February 9, 2022
Score: 4.4/5 (6 votes)

Credit Karma isn't a credit bureau, which means we don't determine your credit scores. Instead, we work with Equifax and TransUnion to provide you with your free credit reports and free credit scores, which are based on the VantageScore 3.0 credit score model.

Why is my Credit Karma score higher than my actual score?

Why are my credit scores from Credit Karma different from scores I got somewhere else? We pull your VantageScore 3.0 credit scores directly from TransUnion and Equifax. ... One big reason why you may have different scores is that the three credit bureaus may have differing information about you.

How do I find out my real credit score?

You can request a free copy of your credit report from each of three major credit reporting agencies – Equifax®, Experian®, and TransUnion® – once each year at AnnualCreditReport.com or call toll-free 1-877-322-8228.

Is it safe to check your credit score on Credit Karma?

Checking your free credit scores on Credit Karma doesn't hurt your credit. These credit score checks are known as soft inquiries, which don't affect your credit at all. Hard inquiries (also known as “hard pulls”) generally happen when a lender checks your credit while reviewing your application for a financial product.

Does Credit Karma show a higher score?

Your FICO score may differ

Your score should be within the same range it is everywhere else, including with the major credit bureaus and its many competitors. On the customer review site ConsumerAffairs, some people have reported that their Credit Karma score is quite a bit higher than their FICO scores.

Why is my Credit Karma so different than my real credit score?

28 related questions found

How do I get my true FICO score for free?

You can get a free FICO® Score from hundreds of financial services companies, including banks, credit unions, credit card issuers and credit counselors that participate in the FICO® Score Open Access program and offer free scores to customers.

How many points is Credit Karma usually off?

But how accurate is Credit Karma? In some cases, as seen in an example below, Credit Karma may be off by 20 to 25 points.

What's the catch to Credit Karma?

What's the catch? Yes, Credit Karma is a legitimate free website that provides you with your credit score and report, no strings attached. It's really free, and you don't need to put in your credit card number or remember to cancel your free trial.

What is a perfect credit score?

A perfect credit score of 850 is hard to get, but an excellent credit score is more achievable. If you want to get the best credit cards, mortgages and competitive loan rates — which can save you money over time — excellent credit can help you qualify. “Excellent” is the highest tier of credit scores you can have.

Is 720 a good credit score?

A 720 FICO® Score is Good, but by raising your score into the Very Good range, you could qualify for lower interest rates and better borrowing terms. A great way to get started is to get your free credit report from Experian and check your credit score to find out the specific factors that impact your score the most.

Why Credit Karma is not accurate?

Why your Credit Karma credit score differs

Your score can then differ based on what bureau your credit report is pulled from since they don't all receive the same information about your credit accounts. Secondly, different credit score models (and versions) exist across the board.

Who has the most accurate credit score?

FICO scores are used in over 90% of lending decisions making the FICO® Basic, Advanced and Premier services the most accurate for credit score updates.

How can I check my credit score for free without hurting it?

You can request your free reports from all three national credit reporting agencies by going to AnnualCreditReport.com. You can also order your free credit report and free credit score directly from Experian.

Is 700 a good credit score?

For a score with a range between 300 and 850, a credit score of 700 or above is generally considered good. A score of 800 or above on the same range is considered to be excellent. Most consumers have credit scores that fall between 600 and 750.

Why does Credit Karma show a lower score?

Some lenders report to all three major credit bureaus, but others report to only one or two. Because of this difference in reporting, each of the three credit bureaus may have slightly different credit report information for you and you may see different scores as a result.

Why is Experian not on Credit Karma?

Credit Karma is different from Experian. While Experian compiles your credit report and determines your credit score, Credit Karma simply shows you credit scores and report information from Equifax and TransUnion.

Is a 900 credit score possible?

A credit score of 900 is either not possible or not very relevant. ... On the standard 300-850 range used by FICO and VantageScore, a credit score of 800+ is considered “perfect.” That's because higher scores won't really save you any money.

Does checking your own credit score lower it?

Does a credit check lower your score? Checking your credit score on your own, which is a soft credit check or inquiry, doesn't hurt your credit score. But when a creditor or lender runs a credit check, that's often a hard credit check, which could affect your credit score.

What credit score is good for buying a house?

It's recommended you have a credit score of 620 or higher when you apply for a conventional loan. If your score is below 620, lenders either won't be able to approve your loan or may be required to offer you a higher interest rate, which can result in higher monthly payments.

How long does Credit Karma take to update?

It usually takes about four to six weeks for lenders to report new information (like new balances or payment activity) to TransUnion, and the frequency of updates can vary by lender. So it can take up to seven weeks for any changes or new information to show on Credit Karma.

Is a 750 credit score good?

A 750 credit score is Very Good, but it can be even better. If you can elevate your score into the Exceptional range (800-850), you could become eligible for the very best lending terms, including the lowest interest rates and fees, and the most enticing credit-card rewards programs.

Is a 680 credit score good?

A FICO® Score of 680 falls within a span of scores, from 670 to 739, that are categorized as Good. ... 21% of U.S. consumers' FICO® Scores are in the Good range. Approximately 9% of consumers with Good FICO® Scores are likely to become seriously delinquent in the future.

Is FICO A Experian?

While Experian offers free FICO scores on their website, you cannot get a free FICO credit score through Equifax or TransUnion directly.

Is Experian usually the lowest score?

Credit scores help lenders evaluate whether they want to do business with you. The FICO® Score , which is the most widely used scoring model, falls in a range that goes up to 850. The lowest credit score in this range is 300. But the reality is that almost nobody has a score that low.

Should I enroll in FICO score?

In short, it puts a number on the likelihood that you'll pay back your loan. Your credit score can help a lender decide whether to charge you higher interest rates on, say, a mortgage, than it would charge if you had a better score. ... You'll be eligible for credit at lower interest rates, a potentially big money-saver.