Credit Score - what source to go by?

[Anonymous]

I have a better idea about credit and building credit in general from this site. Thanks to all does not come close to my feelings. I do have a question. When going by all of the very helpful feedback about the qualifying credit scores, what sources should I be using? The credit karma seems to be in line with the monitoring of some of the credit cards scores. The credit scores differ however from sources that claim "true credit" What is a person to go by when attempting to pre qualify one's self prior to taking the leap of faith in applying over some of the pre qualify links that do give some help...

[Jnbmom]

FICO scores are what you should be going by. Credit Karma are vantage scores and are not used by most lenders so disregard those.

[Anonymous]

I wish I could give more thumbs up thank you so much for clarity in my jurney!

[Anonymous]

I just found a link that stated what credit cards report FICO in complimentary monitoring

Credit Card Issuers That Provide Free FICO Credit ScoresIssuer Access Credit Score Credit Bureau Who Can Get It

American Express	Login here	FICO Score 8	Experian	Consumer cardholders
Bank of America	Login here	FICO Score 8	TransUnion	Consumer cardholders
Barclays	Login here	FICO Score 8	TransUnion	Consumer cardholders
Chase	Login here	FICO Score 8	Experian	Chase Slate cardholders
Citi	Login here	FICO Bankcard Score 8	Equifax	Consumer cardholders (select cards)
Discover	Credit Scorecard	FICO Score 8	TransUnion for cardholders; Experian otherwise*	Anyone
HSBC	Login here	FICO Score (unknown version)	Equifax	Consumer cardholders, Select Credit customers
Merrick Bank	Login here	FICO Bankcard Score 8	TransUnion and/or Experian	Consumer cardholders
Navy Federal Credit Union	Login here	FICO Score 9	Equifax	Consumer cardholders
Synchrony	Login here	FICO Score 8	TransUnion	Consumer cardholders
SunTrust	Login here	FICO Bankcard Score 8	Equifax	Consumer cardholders
USAA	Login here	FICO Score 8	Experian	Members
Wells Fargo	Login here	FICO Score 9	Experian	Eligible consumer account holders

[pinkandgrey]

CK scores, while they may be close to your FICO scores, are not used by many lenders. FICO are the “important” ones. 

[Anonymous]

Thank you, I can't believe it took me this long to think to ask this question. All of this good information and yet going from the correct score source priceless! I had to check cap 1 creditwise is also a Vantage score when I googled. Close scores are good as well. Will be playing by the book and not wasting any of the great efforts this sites participants have invested!! I'm a rebuilder and would like to live in the moment, learn from the past, and own my prosperous future Thank you to all who have added to enable me with my positive credit which in turn has effected my life and family's life in ways I could not have imagined or even hoped to achieve

[Anonymous]

Experian gives out your report and Fico 8 score for free once a month.

[Anonymous]

Thank you! I just checked my Experian credit score fico score! Thank you for mentioning )

[Anonymous]

CK and a lot of other "free credit monitoring" sites use VantageScore 3.0, otherwise referred to as FAKO scores since they're not really as important as your FICO score. On any of these websites you can usually scroll to the bottom or read the fine print to see what scoring model they use. FICO Score 8 versus FICO Score 9, etc. Here's a website I found from a quick Google search on the myFICO blog that helps to explain some of the differences.

[Anonymous]

I had heard that "FAKO" term and had pushed way back into my mind for some reason. Probably enjoying what was no cost TOO much. I love the explanation of the link. Thank you for providing. SO glad I listened to that tiny part of my mind I a was totally ignoring and explored, when it came to actual practical application of the amassed information I have been making a great effort to absorb and apply and did not totally blow it while on the path I am on pace to take.