What is the best way to monitor....

[Anonymous]

I just paid off all my CC's (all at once).  I get when the CC's report to the agencies, but what is the best way to monitor it?  Other than pulling new reports every two weeks.  I already am signed up for myfico.com score watch and its been a month and I have not seen any notation.  I assumed my score would go up because thats what the score stimulator said would happen (and I'd know that way).  

And while I'm on the topic, which bureau is the closest to accurate?  I signed up for TU because its cheapest.  Myfico.com is at least 50 points different from any of the three bureaus.  It makes no logical sense to me.  Why do they allow us to see one set of numbers and give potential lenders a different set? Which bureau shall I sign up for monitoring to see when my report improves? 

[Junejer]

Hi anxiety, you should read Credit Scoring 101, if you haven't already. This will tell you the difference between FICOs and FAKOs. The vast majority of lenders use FICO scores. As a consumer, you can only get all three FICOs from myfico.com. You can get your EQ FICO from EQ directly as well, but your TU and EX from EQ will be FAKO. You can get your TU FICO from transunioncs.com. Notice the CS at the end and the EQ and EX scores will be FAKO.

The long and short of it is that you can get numerous different FAKO scores, because this is America and capitalism is alive and well, thankfully. However, lenders don't use them, so you should not ever worry about the scores you get from FAKO sources. And certainly never pay for the scores, if extra.

As for monitoring. Most use a CMS. There are not very many daiy pullers left, but that's how most around here monitor credit reports. Do a search here for credit monitoring service or TC and you should get enough reading to keep you busy for awhile.

[smallfry]

Besides Credit Secure only available to AmEx customers the only daily puller that is left is Credit Check Total.

[Anonymous]

Ever since true credits daily pulls were discontinued, I've used Credit Check Total. I must say I'm pretty satisfied from their service. Not only do I get daily pulls but I get it for only 9.95. Original price is 19.95 but when you call in and cancel, they will be glad to take $10 off for 6 months. Then call in to renew the offer.

[YoungInvestor]

ByrdMan was completely right when he said not to pay for your credit scores. transunioncs.com may be a great site but I would never pay $40 for that score. What I focus on, and it's resulted in about a 60-80 point increase in less than a year, is paying all bills ahead of time, keep using old cards every couple of months so none are closed, and doing my due diligence to ensure I keep going in the right direction.

This way I don't waste my time and money while still improving my fico scores.

[Anonymous]

I signed up for the 7 day trial with CreditCheck Total yesterday. Today I went to pull my new reprot to check out how the daily pulls worked, and it took me to a screen wanting to charge me $39.95! What is going on??

[Junejer]

According to one of our members, Chopbrocolli, you can call them when the 7 days are up and tell them that you want to cancel, and they will offer you $9.95 for six months.

[Anonymous]

But is it $9.95 for a monthly report, or do they allow you daily pulls?

[Junejer]

CCT allows daily pulls.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all.  I agree that the best path is to just pay ahead.  I have the best ever reason for having this blip on my radar and that is why my GW letters are doing good work.  I even send proof of my situation.  I will be needing a mortgage loan in the next 3 months and watching my score, at least for the next 3 months is very important. After that, I really would just like the cheapest alert for negative reporting.