Can Someone Please Explain CREDIT SCORES to me??

[BlueHusky]

I'm kind of confused regarding all of the credit score jargon...can you guys please help me straighten it all out?

So I know there's a "FICO" score...and then there are "FAKO" scores, which aren't used by lenders. When you use CreditKarma or CreditSesame, you are getting a FAKO score, CreditKarma being a Transunion FAKO and CreditSesame being an Experian FAKO. Now, if you use the monthly "Walmart free FICO" this is a real FICO...but it's also from Transunion. I don't get it?

So is there only ONE real score, and all else being FAKO, or are there 3 real scores - one true FICO for each of the 3 credit companies? Where do I get a real FICO for all 3? Which one do lenders use? Which is accurate? I'm so confused!

[BlueHusky]

Also, which credit company is a MyFICO "Fico" score based off of?? They seem to list Equifax and TU, does Experian not make a FICO? What do lenders that use experian pull then if it doesn't give you a FICO?

[djrez4]

There's an entire forum here about "Understanding FICO Scoring."  I suggest reading there and then asking specific questions if you're still confused.

[Robertwd82]

Each company has a FICO. Consumers can't get their Experian Fico.  This website is the place to get your Equifax Fico.  You can also buy a one time Transunion FiCo here but most elect to get a Wal Mart card and get it free through there, daily no less.  

I use Myfico Scorewatch for Equifax FICO, Walmart for Transunion FICO and I use experian.com's service for Experian FAKO daily pull.  I just had my Experian FICO pulled on Amex and it was 10pts higher than my FAKO.

[jake619]

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@djrez4 wrote:

There's an entire forum here about "Understanding FICO Scoring."  I suggest reading there and then asking specific questions if you're still confused.

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^^^^ This

[trumpet-205]

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@BlueHusky wrote:

So is there only ONE real score, and all else being FAKO, or are there 3 real scores - one true FICO for each of the 3 credit companies? Where do I get a real FICO for all 3? Which one do lenders use? Which is accurate? I'm so confused!

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Neither. There are 49 variations of FICO score, each calculates your score differently and has different range.

They are called FICO because they are all developed by the same company, Fair Issac CO.

Furthermore, some FAKO scores like VantageScore is used by lenders like Chase. Lenders like GE or AMEX even use their own "in-house" scores.

Credit score is just a calculated number, that's all. It is merely a small factor in determing credit. There is no such thing as an universal credit score. What is on your credit report is far more important than a number.

[tinuviel]

Moved from Credit Cards.