FICO SCORE - CRAZYNESS

[californiaboy935]

Hey guys, shoudn't be messing since I just got that cool approval. But I was wondering why my FICO score changes every other month 40-70pts. I do have a short credit history and large balances on my Amex Platinum. But I pay in full and never carry over. Below are the pics of the change from October to January.

774701?!?

[FireMedic1]

How many cards are you talking about that you PIF every month. Have 1 report a small balance. Never PIF all of them. Yes that is whacky.

[californiaboy935]

I pay them all in full. But I'll let one ride a small balance and let you now how it goes.

---

@FireMedic1 wrote:

How many cards are you talking about that you PIF every month. Have 1 report a small balance. Never PIF all of them. Yes that is whacky.

---

[Anonymous]

@californiaboy935 There are three major credit bureaus that store consumer credit data that is used to calculate FICO scores; they are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.  The 774 score is an Experian score while the 701 is an Equifax score.  Since the bureaus evaluate the same data a bit differently, and they also operate on different timelines; it would be pointless to offer an opinion just on those two pieces of data.  If you want an informed analysis and opinion, present the scores over time as calculated by the same credit bureau.

[californiaboy935]

One sec will do.

---

@Anonymous wrote:

@californiaboy935 There are three major credit bureaus that store consumer credit data that is used to calculate FICO scores; they are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.  The 774 score is an Experian score while the 701 is an Equifax score.  Since the bureaus evaluate the same data a bit differently, and they also operate on different timelines; it would be pointless to offer an opinion just on those two pieces of data.  If you want an informed analysis and opinion, present the scores over time as calculated by the same credit bureau.

---

[californiaboy935]

April 2019 - Ex: 700 Eq:715 Tu: 656

June 2019 - Ex: 755 Eq: 742 Tu: 701

October - Ex: 647 Eq: 770 Tu: 801

January - Ex: 774 Eq: 718 Tu: 731

That is my delema haha.

[californiaboy935]

@MaizeandBlue

[Anonymous]

The fluctuations could be based on any number of things such as both individual and aggregate utilization which you didn't provide.  But I would consider these reasons as the most likely for the fluctuations:

(1) If you allow your cards to report to the bureaus at their maximum balances you will be penalized (max balance is 88.9% or more of credit limit). You should aim to not let any card report to the bureau at over 28.9% utilization.

(2) If you allow more than one-third or one-half of your credit cards to report balances in any month your scores will be penalized (the 1/3 or 1/2 threshold varies by profile and credit bureau).

(3)You're opening new credit cards and being hit with new account penalties.

[VanderSnoot]

Are these all FICO 8 scores? I can see the one on the right in the OP is (701), but not necessarily the one on the left (774):

---

@californiaboy935 wrote:

774701?!?

---

Also, when you listed the scores in detail, you said your OCT EQ was 770 when we know it was 701 from the OP.

---

@californiaboy935 wrote:

Below are the pics of the change from October to January.

774701?!?

---

---

@californiaboy935 wrote:

April 2019 - Ex: 700 Eq:715 Tu: 656

June 2019 - Ex: 755 Eq: 742 Tu: 701

October - Ex: 647 Eq: 770 Tu: 801

January - Ex: 774 Eq: 718 Tu: 731

I just want to make sure we're looking at true FICO 8s for the three CBs. Scores from Credit Karma/Credit Sesame are not FICO 8s and tend to fluctuate a lot.

[californiaboy935]

They are off Experian? Not sure how to check if its FICO score 8. Maybe