T/U score 66 pts lower than EQ score

[Anonymous]

I just pulled my T/U score- 601 and then pulled my EQ score and it was 667. I'm just curious as to why the big difference in the score. They both have the same info, the only difference is that the one negative account I have that's on both of them is stated differently on t/ u than it is on equifax. On t/u it's status is collections and in equifax the status is 120 days late. This account has been on my report since 2006. It's only 124.00 but I'm not sure if it would help me by paying it off or not. I read somewhere that it could even possibly affect me negatively by paying it now. T/U says I recently missed a payment or have a negative indicator (when I look I see they r referring to the 124.00 from 2006) I look at Eq and it says I have a good payment history and haven't missed any payments but they have the 124.00 as 120 days pass due that's it. My questions are could that 124.00 derog make that much of a difference to t/u than it does to equifax to make my score 66 points lower?? Also would it make sense to just pay it. I have been working hard to get my credit on track and I'm a little disappointed in my t/u score. I have not been late or missed a payment in 3 yrs and do not carry a big balance on any of my credit cards. So everything is good except the 124.00 from 2006. I don't even know what it's for or who I owe it to. It's comes up under lvn funding or something like that. Which I believe is a collection agency Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[llecs]

While the formulas differ between EQ and TU, the FICO scores should come close. The reporting of your CA, LVNV, can change up your scores by quite a bit. When comparing, look at the reported or updated dates. I bet TU updates frequently, thus producing the recent late mention, and EQ's LVNV TL hasn't updated in a while. Also, IME, a baddie reporting the worst delinquency as a CA on one and a 120 day late on another can produce a score change. Other than LVNV, make sure your have the same exact TLs reporting w/ the same balances. Any differential there can easily impact your scores.

If you wanted to tackle the CA, send them a DV letter. It should be noted that if the score differential is due to EQ not updating, then you could see a score drop after they receive the letter and update. Certainly a risk, but if you aren't applying for anything anytime soon, then worth it, IMO.

[cascade159]

A single account listed as COLLECTION would have a significant impact on your overall score. I would look into that account and offer PFD.

[ANAGLE0]

My TU score is lower than my EQ score also. I kept showing late payments as one of my reasons for having a bad score but I haven't had any late payments on my accounts since January and it was on only one account. I noticed that LVNV is updating my account every month as paying late on TU. I just sent them a PFD to LVNV last week. I hope they take my offer of $200 on a balance of $637 from 2005. After I realized what they are doing I realized this is the one that I should be really working towards getting deleted or paid of so I can get the late payments gone from my CR.

[Anonymous]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their help!! I appreciate you taking the time to respond.