Understanding FICO® Scoring

[ckinninger]

Hi All,

First post but I've done a lot of reading here.  It's a bit unclear so I am speaking up :-)

I really want to get all three true FICO scores.  I realize that this is not easy or maybe even possible.

Is it true that not even MY FICO can provide your true FICO score any more?  They don't specify which of the three CB the "score" is for though.  Then I see people posting that it's now a PLUS score.  

I see that there are dozens of monitoring services but none of them provide true FICO scores?  Assuming money is no object (not really), is there even a way to go to three different places to get my three different true FICO scores?

Thanks for any help.  

CK

[ptr2593]

I had a similar question and found this somewhat helpful: http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation/questions/why-three-scores.aspx

[ckinninger]

Thanks for the link.

Let me highlight a couple quotes from the "article":

"Many different websites sell credit scores to consumers, but only myFICO.com and Equifax.com sell actual FICO scores to consumers."

"Before getting a loan for a major purchase, such as a home, you should check all three of your FICO scores"

"Experian FICO scores are no longer available to consumers."

The fact that they said to go and get "all three" true FICO scores gave me optimisism that it's possible to get all three somewhere until the post comment about Experian being unavailable to consumers.  She says Equifax.com provides a true FICO score so I assume that's only the EQ true FICO score.  Which true FICO score does my FICO provide?  Which one(s) am I going to be missing and where do I get it/them?

Thanks again,

CK

[Lel]

It would seem that the link referenced above is outdated. I'll alert an administrator about it.

Getting all 3 FICO scores is not so straightforward anymore. For reasons unclear, Experian decided to stop selling their FICO scores through this website over two years ago. From this website, you can get your Equifax and Transunion FICO scores. However, the TU score is an older version (referred to as TU98) and many lenders are using a newer version (TU04).

It is possible to get your Equifax score from the Equifax.com website, but it takes a bit of exploration of that website. The "default" score that is sold is a proprietary scoring model developed by Equifax, and it often does not correspond well to the actual Equifax FICO score. But if you search around, you can find the option to purchase a FICO socre.

[ckinninger]

Lel, Thank you.

To confirm I understand your message well...

Experian FICO Score:  Not available anywhere.  

Thru MyFICO:  

    Equifax FICO = Yes

    Transunion = TU98 FICO = Yes (Not newer TU04)

Thru Equifax.com

    Equifax FICO = Yes, but must search and find "FICO" score product.

        -Not really an issue since MyFICO provides this easily.

=================

I heard that psecu could give you all three true FICO but not sure if there is any loophole to gain membership.  I'm not even sure they do give all three though.

Thank you very much.

CK

[-Cain-]

You can get your EX FICO through PSECU monthly, but membership has become more difficult to obtain for out of staters.

[AlmostHome78]

I'm assuming the score offered at the actual Transunion website is a true FICO score, too?

[MarineVietVet]

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AlmostHome78 wrote:

I'm assuming the score offered at the actual Transunion website is a true FICO score, too?

---

No it's not. Until a few months ago you could buy a TU FICO at transunioncs.com (Note the-cs on the end) but no more.

You've never been able to buy a TU FICO from transunion.com.

From a BK years ago to:
EX - 3/11 pulled by lender- 835, EQ - 2/11-816, TU - 2/11-782

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem".

[AlmostHome78]

Ah, got it.  Thanks for the info. 

[kjm79]

Word on the street is the Walmart credit card holders are getting access to their TU04 for free once a month.  There's been nothing official that I've seen stating it's a/the newr version.  Only that it doesn't match the TU scores here.  But the score from the walmart site is most definitely marketed as a FICO score.