Transunion credit score is 35+ points lower than Experian and Equifax scores

[boelshine]

I've reviewed my credit reports from all 3 bureaus and they contain identical information, except my Transunion report has 4 hard inquiries within the past year.

My Experian credit report has 2 hard inquires within the past year and my Equifax report has 1 hard inquiry within the past year. Why is my Transunion score 35+ points lower than my other scores and is there a way to dispute the score calculation? (I have 6 additional hard inquiries on my Transunion report that are 1-2 years old and I think those might be affecting my score, even though they are over 1 year old).

Transunion: 676

Equifax: 711

Experian: 715

[cashorcharge]

Where are you getting your scores from and are you certain they are FICO scores and not Vantage?

Unfortunately, you cannot dispute the "calculation method" used to create your score. 

If you've truly looked over everything and no other outstanding items vary (including baddies and utilization %) then it would fall to those INQ's

[SouthJamaica]

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@boelshine wrote:

I've reviewed my credit reports from all 3 bureaus and they contain identical information, except my Transunion report has 4 hard inquiries within the past year.

My Experian credit report has 2 hard inquires within the past year and my Equifax report has 1 hard inquiry within the past year. Why is my Transunion score 35+ points lower than my other scores and is there a way to dispute the score calculation? (I have 6 additional hard inquiries on my Transunion report that are 1-2 years old and I think those might be affecting my score, even though they are over 1 year old).

Transunion: 676

Equifax: 711

Experian: 715

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Having 2 additional inquiries would not account for 35 points. It must be something else.

[NoMoreE46]

Also, TU provides a Vantage 3.0 score.

Are you comparing apples to apples?

[ocheosa]

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@boelshine wrote:

I've reviewed my credit reports from all 3 bureaus and they contain identical information, except my Transunion report has 4 hard inquiries within the past year.

My Experian credit report has 2 hard inquires within the past year and my Equifax report has 1 hard inquiry within the past year. Why is my Transunion score 35+ points lower than my other scores and is there a way to dispute the score calculation? (I have 6 additional hard inquiries on my Transunion report that are 1-2 years old and I think those might be affecting my score, even though they are over 1 year old).

Transunion: 676

Equifax: 711

Experian: 715

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Hi @boelshine , I experience something similar with my Transunion score. It took me awhile to figure out the issue...my oldest (closed) account reporting to all three bureaus had unfortunately dropped off. Now there is an ~9-10yr difference between oldest account reporting to Experian and Equifax vs Transunion. Something else I've noted over time, credit unions are sometimes captured/reported differently. For example, when I tried AZEO with a balance only on a navy federal account, I was dinged for no cards reporting.

Also, with my profile, TU seems to like no more than four accounts reporting balances. Lately I've had 8-9 accounts reporting so that also knocks off a few points even with <1% utilization. Thank goodness I no longer need worry about scores, it can be stressful. Hopefully with careful review you will be able to figure out what's going on.

[Eric958]

^^^^That^^^^ Experienced that issue as well.

[DONZI]

The CRA each calculate their scores uniquely so they do tend to move differently for different things.

in 2020 TU was ~40 lower than my EQ and ~30 lower than my EX..

Since then TU has been the laggard of the three most of the time.

Fast forward to this month.. TU has been above my EX twice and ~10 lower than my EQ.

Unless you see some problem in the reports, probably best to just ignore it. It's about like watching the stock market.

[geronimo212]

It is because Trans Union is used by many, many more vendors for some strange reason. I have heard they cost less to use by vendors. Trans Union is allegedly cheaper for these vendors and they have virtually no programs like Experian or Eqifax does for consumers to update and correct their credit reports, get free credit reports, etc... your other two reports are likely closer to being accurate and easier to monitor. So, for instance, when you 1st apply for credit, most creditors run your credit through Trans Union. Its almost free to do so on their subscription which is based on volume from what I understand. They will later report to all 3. Its a joke, as your credit should be the same and accurate between the 3. So, this could be why it is usually ALWAYS Trans Union that is off.