topic Re: Equifax Range: -93 to 558 in Understanding FICO® Scoring

Equifax Range: -93 to 558

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 19:46:14 GMT

Hi all,

A while ago I had applied for a credit card from Citizens Bank (RBS Citizns) and was not approved for the card. I had forgotten about this until coming across the rejection letter today. The letter, dating from last October informed me that my credit score from Equifax was 284 (yes, that's what it said)... somehow down from 689 just 6 months before. The letter then explained that Equifax scores range from -93 to 558.

Anyone know just what the heck these people are smoking?

Re: Equifax Range: -93 to 558

starry1 — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 19:52:49 GMT

They are using a completely different scoring range. Fico is about 300-850.

Re: Equifax Range: -93 to 558

pizzadude — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:07:09 GMT

Haven't seen the negative score range before ~ but this is certainly a FAKO score model, which can't be correlated to a FICO score.

Re: Equifax Range: -93 to 558

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:09:43 GMT

Thanks, I understand that Equifax and FICO each use their own algorithm and have different ranges. What I was more concerned about was RBS Citizens telling me that the Equifax score ranged from -93 to 558. Per Equifax, their score ranges from 280 to 850.

I was just wondering if anyone could help me make sense of what Citizens told me about my Equifax score.

Re: Equifax Range: -93 to 558

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:11:11 GMT

What do you mean by FAKO score?

I'm a newbie.

Re: Equifax Range: -93 to 558

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:15:39 GMT

A FAKO is not a FICO. It is a score derived from a scoring system for that company only and not Fair Issacs.

Re: Equifax Range: -93 to 558

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:19:33 GMT

I see... should I have posted this question in another forum? If so, would a moderator be able to move it?

I'm still very curious about this because, in the end, it was this FAKO score that was used to make a very real decision.

Re: Equifax Range: -93 to 558

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:29:19 GMT

Different creditors use different scores from different places. Though a FICO score is the most widely used, creditors don't have to use it.

If a Mod thinks it needs to be moved, they will. Don't worry about it you're fine.

Re: Equifax Range: -93 to 558

pizzadude — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 22:27:29 GMT

I'd also recommend taking a look at these links ~ they should help you understand the differences between FAKO and FICO scores.

Credit Scoring 101:

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/fico/board/message?board.id=ficoscoring&thread.id=29793

The Son Of Credit Scoring 101

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Rebuilding-Your-Credit/The-Son-Of-Credit-Scoring-101/m-p/718550#U718...

Re: Equifax Range: -93 to 558

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 23:33:47 GMT

Thank you, sir!