Why is Credit Sesame different from Experian?

Asked by: Camren Kovacek  |  Last update: February 9, 2022
Score: 4.4/5 (56 votes)

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 Credit Sesame an accurate credit score?

Are The Scores Accurate? Credit sesame uses what is known as the Experian National Equivalency score. The score is accurate for what it is, but this is not the same score lenders look at when you make an application for a loan.

Does Credit Sesame use Experian?

Credit Sesame does not provide free access to your credit data from the two other credit bureaus, Experian and Equifax. Credit Sesame does not provide your FICO® Score—the credit score used by most lenders.

Why is Credit Sesame not accurate?

Credit Sesame pulls your credit information once a month from TransUnion and also uses VantageScore to determine your credit score. As such, it can be said to be reasonably reliable. However, it updates your score with less frequency and with information from only one bureau instead of Credit Karma's two.

Which is more accurate Credit Karma or Credit Sesame?

Credit Karma shows TransUnion and Equifax; Credit Sesame just shows TransUnion. Credit Sesame offers better identity protection options. Credit Karma offers a more detailed credit score simulator. Credit Karma provides access to more financial services (like tax prep and the unclaimed money finder).

Experian vs Credit Karma - Which One Is Better?

24 related questions found

How accurate is Credit Sesame approval odds?

We show your approval odds as either very good, good, fair, or poor. Please keep in mind that Credit Sesame can never guarantee you will be approved for any card, even if your odds are strong; however, it is safest to apply for the cards which show you have a good or very good chance of being approved.

Does Credit Sesame impact your score?

Using Credit Sesame does not affect your score in any way. When Credit Sesame accesses your credit on your behalf there is only a "soft" credit inquiry into your credit which does not hurt your score like a hard inquiry from a lender might.

What FICO does Credit Sesame use?

Credit Sesame uses VantageScore® 3.0, a scoring model provided by TransUnion, one of the three major credit bureaus. VantageScore® 3.0 was developed by all three of the credit bureaus to be an alternative to other commercial scoring models like FICO.

What bureaus does Credit Sesame use?

A free Credit Sesame account utilizes information from TransUnion, one of the major national credit bureaus. Upgrade to a premium Credit Sesame plan for credit report info from all three bureaus: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax.

What is the most accurate free credit score site?

Best Overall AnnualCreditReport.com

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau confirms that AnnualCreditReport.com is the official website that allows you to access each of your credit reports from all three of the major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — at no cost.

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.

Is Vantage 3.0 higher than FICO?

At first, VantageScore credit scores featured a different numerical scale (501 to 990). However, VantageScore 3.0 and 4.0 adopted the same 300 to 850 scale that FICO uses. With both FICO and VantageScore models, higher scores are better.

Why is Experian score so much lower?

This is due to a variety of factors, such as the many different credit score brands, score variations and score generations in commercial use at any given time. These factors are likely to yield different credit scores, even if your credit reports are identical across the three credit bureaus—which is also unusual.

Why is my credit score higher on Credit Sesame?

The credit score you see on Credit Sesame is based on the VantageScore® 3.0 scoring model and provided by TransUnion, but when you upgrade to our premium services, we show your score from all three credit bureaus (along with many other resources to help protect your credit).

Is a 587 credit score good?

Your score falls within the range of scores, from 580 to 669, considered Fair. A 587 FICO® Score is below the average credit score. Some lenders see consumers with scores in the Fair range as having unfavorable credit, and may decline their credit applications.

Is it true that after 7 years your credit is clear?

Even though debts still exist after seven years, having them fall off your credit report can be beneficial to your credit score. ... Only negative information disappears from your credit report after seven years. Open positive accounts will stay on your credit report indefinitely.

What is the most accurate credit score app?

5 Best Credit Score Monitoring Apps of 2022
  1. Credit Karma. CreditKarma. According to users, Credit Karma's scores are close to their actual FICO scores. ...
  2. Credit Sesame. Credit Sesame. Free identity theft protection and financial advice at your fingertips. ...
  3. Mint. Mint. ...
  4. CreditWise by Capital One. CreditWise. ...
  5. myFICO. myFICO.

How accurate is Experian?

Is Experian Accurate? Credit scores from the credit bureaus are only as accurate as the information provided to the bureau. ... If it is, your Experian credit scores are accurate. If your credit report is not accurate, you'll want to look into your credit repair options.

Can I Trust Credit Sesame?

Is Credit Sesame Safe? The simple answer is yes. Credit Sesame is safe and uses the same security measures as banks and the government to keep your information safe and secure. Credit Sesame is not a scam; it is providing a legitimate service.

Does looking at my 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.

How does Sesame cash improve credit?

The purpose of the Sesame Cash account is to grow your cash and credit. So as an incentive, you're rewarded with cash—up to $100 per month—as your credit score improves. To be eligible for rewards, your credit score must increase by at least 10 points during each 30-day reward cycle.

Is Credit Karma legitimate?

A: Credit Karma is a legitimate company; however, for a variety of reasons, its scores may vary greatly from the number your lender will share with you when it checks your credit. We have answers to all your questions about Credit Karma.

How do I find out what my FICO score is?

WHERE TO GET YOUR FICO ® SCORE
  1. www.experian.com.
  2. www.equifax.com. FICO ® Scores are only provided on Equifax ® products that specifically state a FICO ® Score is included, including the Credit ScoreWatch ® product and the Score Power ® product. ...
  3. www.myfico.com.

What are two major credit cards?

The four major credit card networks are Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover.

Is Experian the highest credit score?

Most credit scoring systems use a scale that ranges from 300 to 850. There are, however, some credit scoring models that go up to 900 or 950, including industry-specific scores used by certain institutions. Working your way up to an 850 credit score might sound appealing, but it isn't necessary.