Why are so-called FICO scores all over the map?

[Anonymous]

I have several credit cards that offer free credit score options and I check those regularly. Trouble is, the scores are all over the place. There can be a 60 point difference in supposed FICO score depending on which credit card site I'm checking, even those that claim to use the same bureau (TransUnion or Experian, for example). Why do the scores vary so much and how reliable are those "free credit score" options.

[AverageJoesCredit]

Definitely check to make sure the free score is a fico first and formost as many free credit scores given are Vantage aka Fako. Then if its actually Fico 8 as Fico as different models as well

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I have several credit cards that offer free credit score options and I check those regularly. Trouble is, the scores are all over the place. There can be a 60 point difference in supposed FICO score depending on which credit card site I'm checking, even those that claim to use the same bureau (TransUnion or Experian, for example). Why do the scores vary so much and how reliable are those "free credit score" options.

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Welcome to MyFICO

Your question is a common one.  First, there are many versions of FICO scores and various creditors provide different ones.  If you tell us what credit cards that you are dealing with then we can help you out more. Additionally some creditors like Capital One give you a Vantage score which is completely different than a FICO score.  It can be very confusing but once you learn what score you are actually being provided then you will be able to determine how useful and reliable they are.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. The cards are Capital One, Merrick Bank, Discvoer and Credit One

[jawbrkr]

Discover is TU FICO 8 and Cap1 is Vantage 3, not FICO. Not sure about credit one and the other.

[Anonymous]

Ah, so the Discover score is probably the most accurate in terms of what banks will see when I apply for a loan

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Ah, so the Discover score is probably the most accurate in terms of what banks will see when I apply for a loan

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Maybe but not necessarily.  All depends on what type of loan and what the particular creditor uses.  There can be a sizable difference even in FICO scores.

[Loquat]

I just wish that if a lender is going to offer a credit score as part being a customer of their institution that they'd govern the account by that very same score.  I hate that CapOne, Chase, etc offers these fako scores knowing darn well that they rely heavily on their own internal and FICO scores rather than the bogus score they provide you. 

[rmduhon]

Credit One is a Fako as well.

[K-in-Boston]

Unless it has changed since I closed mine last year (doubtful), Merrick Bank is giving you a Transunion FICO 08 Bankcard score which will usually differ slightly up or down compared to a regular Transunion FICO 08 score.  A quick search came up with CreditOne giving an Experian FICO 08 Bankcard score, which would not be a FAKO.