If you decide to enroll in both services, keep in mind that the FICO Score based on Experian data is calculated differently than the VantageScores based on TransUnion and Equifax data you'll get from Credit Karma. Your FICO Score may differ from your VantageScores because of those different calculation methods.
This is mainly because of two reasons: For one, lenders may pull your credit from different credit bureaus, whether it is Experian, Equifax or TransUnion. 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.
Experian vs. Credit Karma: Which is more accurate for your credit score? You may be surprised to know that the simple answer is that both are accurate. Read on to find out what's different between the two companies, how they get your credit score, and why you have more than one credit score to begin with.
When the scores are significantly different across bureaus, it is likely the underlying data in the credit bureaus is different and thus driving that observed score difference.
The credit scores and reports you see on Credit Karma should accurately reflect your credit information as reported by those bureaus.
They may differ by 20 to 25 points, and in some cases even more. When Credit Karma users see their credit score details, they are viewing a VantageScore, not the FICO score that the majority of lenders use. A VantageScore has the same credit score range as FICO, and uses some of the same information as a FICO score.
Your Credit Karma score should be the same or close to your FICO score, which is what any prospective lender will probably check. The range of your credit score (such as "good" or "very good") is more important than the precise number, which will vary by source and edge up or down often.
Your Experian score may be higher than what another credit bureau shows because Experian calculates credit scores using its own unique scoring model.
The credit scores you see when you check a service like Experian may differ from the FICO scores a lender sees when checking your credit. That's because the lender may be using a FICO score based on data from a different credit bureau. It may also be looking at a different FICO scoring method.
Credit scores from the three main bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) are considered accurate. The accuracy of the scores depends on the accuracy of the information provided to them by lenders and creditors. You can check your credit report to ensure the information is accurate.
If you decide to enroll in both services, keep in mind that the FICO Score based on Experian data is calculated differently than the VantageScores based on TransUnion and Equifax data you'll get from Credit Karma. Your FICO Score may differ from your VantageScores because of those different calculation methods.
Why is my FICO® score different from my credit score? Your FICO Score is a credit score. But if your FICO score is different from another of your credit scores, it may be that the score you're viewing was calculated using one of the other scoring models that exist.
Many lenders furnish information to all three major credit bureaus, but some may furnish information to just one or two of them. This difference in data results in distinct credit reports with each bureau and can lead to differing credit scores across the bureaus.
Two popular credit-scoring companies are FICO and VantageScore. Originally named Fair Isaac Corporation, FICO developed the modern credit-scoring model in 1989. To this day, its scores are some of the most widely used credit scores. FICO claims its scores are used by 90% of top lenders.
The primary credit scoring models are FICO® and VantageScore®, and both are equally accurate. Although both are accurate, most lenders are looking at your FICO score when you apply for a loan. There's a lot to learn about credit scores and credit reports and having more than one credit score can get confusing.
Although there isn't a bank that exclusively uses Experian, some banks that typically use Experian data more commonly include American Express, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo.
FICO 8 scores range between 300 and 850. A FICO score of at least 700 is considered a good score. There are also industry-specific versions of credit scores that businesses use. For example, the FICO Bankcard Score 8 is the most widely used score when you apply for a new credit card or a credit-limit increase.
Lenders don't always report information to all three bureaus, however, which means there are often differences among your credit reports (and the scores based upon them). Because your credit reports can differ, your scores are unlikely to be the same.
Is Experian legitimate? Yes. Along with TransUnion and Equifax, Experian is recognized by financial institutions around the world as a safe, authoritative and trustworthy credit reporting agency.
When you are applying for a mortgage to buy a home, lenders will typically look at all of your credit history reports from the three major credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. In most cases, mortgage lenders will look at your FICO score. There are different FICO scoring models.
You Have Late or Missing Payments
Your payment history is the most important factor in your FICO® Score☉ , the credit scoring model used by 90% of top lenders. It accounts for 35% of your score, and even one late or missed payment can have a negative impact. So, it's key to make sure you make all your payments on time.
The minimum credit score needed for most mortgages is typically around 620. However, government-backed mortgages like Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans typically have lower credit requirements than conventional fixed-rate loans and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs).
Very good and excellent credit scores: Above mid-700s
But having very good or excellent credit scores doesn't mean you're a shoo-in for every loan or credit card out there. A lender could deny an application for another reason, like a high debt-to-income ratio.
This is because Credit Karma makes use of another credit scoring model compared to many lenders and possibly does not have access to all the data required to calculate your credit score. Furthermore, credit ratings from various sources can differ due to dissimilarities in the data used for their computation.