I've read up but still don't understand why I get three different scores
My credit check score by Experian (via USAA) is currently 789. I understand that's only one credit agency and so it's just one component of my FICO score -- and that my actual FICO score could differ.
However, I can get my purported FICO score for free via both my Discover card account and my American Express account (it's as simple as logging in and clicking on the FICO score link), and those numbers are not the same. Discover reports my FICO score as 827. Amex says it's 840. Those scores have been unchanged for a few months. It's not a huge discrepancy, but I'd still like to know why it exists at all.
Re: I've read up but still don't understand why I get three different scores
Welcome! Of the three main credit reporting agencies Disc gets their info from Transunion, were as Amex gets theirs from Experian. Their are slight differences in how the information is applied for each agency. The most common reason for different scores is the number of inquiries on each report. Creditors generally only pull from one source so the numbers of inquiries can vary quite considerably. Also when comparing scores from the same agency pay attention to the date as scores can change from day to day. Their is also no one fico score, but several that all use different scoring criteria. Hope this helps answer your question.
Re: I've read up but still don't understand why I get three different scores
copied from my USAA account...
"Calculated on the VantageScore 3.0 model. Your VantageScore 3.0 from Experian indicates your credit risk level and is not used by all lenders, so don't be surprised if your lender uses a score that's different from your VantageScore 3.0. Click here to learn more about this."
This is not a FICO score generated by Fair Isaac. They are using Vantage 3 that is much cheaper for them (I'm assuming) as it is a collaboration between all 3 major credit bureaus.
Thank you, that's very helpful!