One FICO score always seems so low.

[Anonymous]

Im a rookie here, but have noticed a weird trend with my FICO scores.  It ALWAYS seems that just one of the scores averages about 28-32 points lower than the other two scores.  Whether its TU, EQ, or EXP, they almost flip flop and take turns to be the low score of the month.  As far as my history, ALL of my balances have steadily improved over the past 2 years.  Low blances, negatives have fallen off my reports, no inquiries.  So if only positive changes are noted, why would just one score drop, while the other 2 rise?  Then the following month, the lower score will catch up, and one of the others will drop.  Doesnt make sense.  Example of the latest, EX and EQ went up 7 and 8 points for the month of June, but TU, which was higher than both last month, dropped 29 points.  Again, nothing but positive alerts, but still dropped, A LOT.  Anyone else experiencing anything like this?

[GFer]

Could be the new scoring model. Also re-bucketing comes to mind. Maybe it's balances (and who they report to)?

[Anonymous]

What is rebucketing?

[bdhu2001]

My only thoughts would be one or all of three factors: 1) the credit you have, reports to the various CBAs at different times of the month.  2)your payments are hitting at different times, because you don't have them on autopay 3) Your pulling your credit reports at different times of the month or the report is giving you balances from diffent times of the month (My credit card shows my FICO for the 10th of each month.  However, it's still not listing the 6-10 score even though it's the 17th.  Last month it showed the new score on the 15th).

[GFer]

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@bdhu2001 wrote:

My only thoughts would be one or all of three factors: 1) the credit you have, reports to the various CBAs at different times of the month.  2)your payments are hitting at different times, because you don't have them on autopay 3) Your pulling your credit reports at different times of the month or the report is giving you balances from diffent times of the month (My credit card shows my FICO for the 10th of each month.  However, it's still not listing the 6-10 score even though it's the 17th.  Last month it showed the new score on the 15th).

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This seems more likely.  Rebucketing is when you move one level of credit to the next. Credit is kinda like tiers. So as your credit improves you move to the next tier. But since your scores are fluctuating, I'd tend to think bdhu2001 has a better answer.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Im a rookie here, but have noticed a weird trend with my FICO scores.  It ALWAYS seems that just one of the scores averages about 28-32 points lower than the other two scores.  Whether its TU, EQ, or EXP, they almost flip flop and take turns to be the low score of the month.  As far as my history, ALL of my balances have steadily improved over the past 2 years.  Low blances, negatives have fallen off my reports, no inquiries.  So if only positive changes are noted, why would just one score drop, while the other 2 rise?  Then the following month, the lower score will catch up, and one of the others will drop.  Doesnt make sense.  Example of the latest, EX and EQ went up 7 and 8 points for the month of June, but TU, which was higher than both last month, dropped 29 points.  Again, nothing but positive alerts, but still dropped, A LOT.  Anyone else experiencing anything like this?

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Welcome to the forums!

My guess is the same as already mentioned -- issues with timing and reporting lags and score calculation lags.

If you pay off a CC today, it may take several weeks before your report reflects this action, and several more weeks before a score reflects the updated report.

I expect that this issue is responsible for a large number of the score discrepancies reported in these forums.

[Anonymous]

I understand what everybody is saying.  And would make complete sense if my balances were going the wrong way, however, the report of the TU score that dropped showed nothing different than 2 balances which were lowered a total of $3200.  I guess in short, the real question is why would my score drop if balances on the shown report have improved?  It wouldnt be a big deal if it were a couple points, but 28?!?!  For doing what Im supposed to do?  It doesnt add up.  It put me back below 700 and we are looking to lock into the rate next month for the house we are buiding. 

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I understand what everybody is saying.  And would make complete sense if my balances were going the wrong way, however, the report of the TU score that dropped showed nothing different than 2 balances which were lowered a total of $3200.  I guess in short, the real question is why would my score drop if balances on the shown report have improved?  It wouldnt be a big deal if it were a couple points, but 28?!?!  For doing what Im supposed to do?  It doesnt add up.  It put me back below 700 and we are looking to lock into the rate next month for the house we are buiding. 

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The mortgage business typically uses 04 scores, and the ones available here are the 08 series.

If you are looking at a mortgage in the near future, I would recommend using 04 scores and pulling your reports directly.

[TRC_WA]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Im a rookie here, but have noticed a weird trend with my FICO scores.  It ALWAYS seems that just one of the scores averages about 28-32 points lower than the other two scores.   Anyone else experiencing anything like this?

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Yep... TU is by far my lowest score.

Why?  I've pulled all 3 and there are no differences as far as accounts reporting and what not...  TU does have 2 inquiries while EQ and EX have none in the last 6+ months.  I don't believe 2 inquiries would cause a 30 point difference but it is what it is.

I actually asked BECU that question last week when they did a TU HP for my CLI on my Visa and they told me that it could be because of my new auto refi loan from March.  Strange because it doesn't seem to have affected EQ and EX despite the fact it's reporting to all 3.

I can't explain it.

[Anonymous]

Im sorry to hear that others are experiencing this also.  In respond to your TU dropping due to 2 HPs, I have to add that there are no pulls on me since may of last year to apply for the construction loan.  I can also add that I know its not due to lag of reporting, the TU report from yesterday clearly shows my updated balances which totals $3207 less than the previous month.  How to i go about requesting the 04 series pull from the mortgage bank rather than them using the 08 series?  Do we have any control over that?  If so, i would greatly appreciate any info someone can extend to me.  Id hate to walk in there sounding like an idiot!  Thanks again for all the replies.  Y'all are great!