Plus score vs. FICO Score

[Anonymous]

Sorry, like an idiot I closed my score watch account about 3 months ago.  So, we're thinking about buying a new home and I wanted to quickly check my credit score.  Well, I went to that free report crap and it gave me PLUS scores???  They are about 120 points lower than my FICO score.  I almost had a heart attack last night.  There is all kinds of crap on there and some things honestly are not mine.  So anyway is a PLUS score a FAKO because I feel like I need to start cleaning that crap up if someone is going to use it to determine my qualifications for a home, new car, etc.  I quickly canceled that account and reopened my FICO which is a 695.

Please someone tell me about this PLUS score.  I can't figure out how it can be so low.

thanks

k

[Junejer]

It's a FAKO, but you still ought to be concerned with the stuff that you found on your reports. The scores are garbage, but the information is to be taken seriously.

[Anonymous]

Thanks.  I'll check into it on Monday.  I know it will be a lot of work cleaning this mess up.  I do have two legitimate old, old, old collections ($77, $158) that I was planning on paying off anyway so they will be clear for our home purchase.  The other things I have no clue what they are, but they do have phone numbers to the companies reporting.  So, I guess I need to call and get some info about them.  Thanks again.

[RobertEG]

Handbaglady, be cautious about dealing with those "old, old" collection accounts, as far as they affect your credit score.

Calling a CA is normally a no-no, for many reasons that you can read about in Credit Scoring 101.

If  you called them tomorrow, and paid them all off, this would NOT remove them from your credit report, or necessarily help your credit score.

[Junejer]

Don't pay off those CAs, unless you get a PFD. You are applying for a mortgage and that could hurt your score and take you out of the running. Secondly, I usually advise to DV the CAs first, particularly if they are past SOL. Finally, don't ever call a CA. Do all of your communicating in writing.

[Anonymous]

Wow...Thanks for the advice.  I'm going to go read credit scoring 101 right now.  I don't want to make things worse.  I'm so close to the "700 club" and I've been working really hard to get there.  Thanks so much!!

[Junejer]

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handbaglady08 wrote:

Wow...Thanks for the advice.  I'm going to go read credit scoring 101 right now.  I don't want to make things worse.  I'm so close to the "700 club" and I've been working really hard to get there.  Thanks so much!!

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Good call and you're welcome.