Could my score really be 39 points higher than my FAKO indicates??

[Hcontreras]

So I often check my credit score (FAKO from Equifax) just to keep reference of a ballpark of what my score is...Anyhow, when I recently requested a CLI from Cap 1, I was denied because I only had my QS card one month (it was a shot in the dark and I knew that). Anyhow, on my denial letter is showed my Equifax score of 39 points higher than my FAKO was giving me on that date (Jan 28th). Could it be possible that my score is really that much higher than what Equifax directly is giving me???? I thought a FAKO score was generally higher than it really is?? Can someone chime in on this and provide some clarification? Trust me, I'm not complaining, as I will willingly take a better score, but could this be right???

P.S. THE SCORING RANGE CAPITAL ONE GAVE WAS FROM 350-850, WHEN THEY PROVIDED MY SCORE.

[n0smirc]

The Cap One score is a FICO, the Fako has absolutely no correlation to the real FICO score, it uses it's own algorithm and some are higher and some are lower. It depends on the person, their profile, and the algorithm of the FAKO. And maybe some magical pixie dust.

[Rhaeny]

Since it's FAKO it could be higher or lower than real score on any given day.  

I have learned not to put too much into the relationship between FAKO and FICO because my scores have been all over the place comparing the two.

Also some lenders may use internal scoring models which will really throw things off!  LOL!

So in answer to your question, yes your real score could be that much higher than your FAKO.

[TheGardner]

Definitely a YMMV, my EX FAKO is 57 points higher than my Fico. I imagine it could go the other way as well as FAKO scores things differently some for the better cant see why some wouldn't be for the worse..

[clocktick]

FAKOs are exactly that - fake.  Many don't pay any attention to them at all.

Cap One gave a range of 350-850, and not 300-850?

[Hcontreras]

It could have been 300-850. I was jut referencing it for the top number of 850 more than anything. Does anyone know if Cap 1 is a true FICO? If so, I'm closer to 700 than I think!

[chrisw1968uk]

The difference is amazing - My Discover Fico is 71 points higher than Credit Karma Fako

[wacdenney]

My EQ FAKO is 638.  The EQ Fico I got last week from Citi said 683 and my TU Fico from WalMart is 685.

I really like the Equifax service because for $12 / month I can pull my report whenever I want (once per day) and I like the notifications.  The score they give, however, is just for fun.  I do not pay any attention to it at all really.  The only time I ever even look at it is on the little graph thing to see if it's trending up or down.  As far as the actual number goes, it's meaningless.

[thom02099]

The EQ score you got from Cap 1 could be a EQ Beacon 9.0 version; some lenders who pull EQ do use that version, the most recent.  Check the letter again, see if it mentions the Beacon version.  You can also spend the $15 or so bucks here, pull your EQ MyFICO score and see how they compare.  The EQ version here is Beacon 5.0.  As the others have said, pay no attention to the FAKOS (or the man behind the curtain...!)

[Lin55]

My FICOs are always a lot higher than my avg FAKOs, usually by 40-60 points!  So before I apply for something I depend on my FAKOs just to low-ball things as I believe credit card banks internal scoring are more on par with my FAKOs.

My FICO seems too fake, ironically!