Why is My Credit Score Different on Different Sites?

Checking your credit score can be a great way to gauge your financial health. But if you're seeing a range of numbers, you might be scratching your head and asking this question: Why is my credit score different on different sites?

Why is my credit score different across sites? A quick explanation

Your credit score varies because:

1. Scores change – Your credit activity updates scores regularly.

2. Bureaus differ – Not all creditors report to all credit bureaus.

3. Scoring models vary – FICO and VantageScore use different formulas.

4. Specialized scores – Scores are tailored to different loan types.

5. Report errors – Mistakes in credit reports can impact scores.

Understanding these factors can help you make sense of why your credit scores may differ. Keep reading to dive deeper into these reasons and learn how to manage your credit effectively.

This article contains general information for educational use. Freedom Debt Relief is not a credit repair organization and does not provide, or offer, services or advice to repair, modify, or improve your credit.

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There's no single reason why you might have different credit scores. Instead, it can be chalked up to a combination of factors. Here are a few reasons why you might get mixed credit scoring results. 

#1: Credit scores change

Credit scores are snapshots that reflect your payments and account balances at a moment in time. All of this information comes from your credit report. That means your score can change any time there's a change to your credit reports. 

How often do credit scores update? Typically, scores update at least monthly but they may change much more often if you use a variety of financial products. It depends on how often your creditors report to credit bureaus and what days they report.

Here's how different types of activities could affect your scores over time. 

• Opening a new credit card could trigger an inquiry, which can cost you credit score points.

• Using different types of credit, like loans and credit cards, could help your score.  

• Charging up one of your cards could increase your credit utilization and cause your score to drop.

• Paying off a credit card balance could improve your credit utilization and boost your score. 

This kind of seesaw effect can be a little frustrating if you're trying to pin down your credit scores because you're planning to apply for a loan. But it's a good reminder that the way you manage credit and debt can influence changes to your score in the short and long term. 

Here are some other things to note about credit score fluctuations:

• The passage of time makes a difference in how inquiries affect your credit. Inquiries over one year old don't count against your credit score. Similarly, having older accounts can have a positive impact. Age takes time. 

• Your credit scores can change when information falls off your credit report. Most negative information can stay on your credit report for seven years. 

• Disputing credit report errors could improve your score if the error is corrected or removed. 

Pro tip: Checking your own credit scores won't affect your credit history. 

#2: Role of credit bureaus

Credit bureaus collect information about consumer debts. This information comes from your creditors and it can also come from public records. 

Each credit bureau uses the information it collects to calculate your credit scores. However, your scores aren't always the same from one bureau to the next. 

That's because creditors may not report information evenly. Some lenders report credit accounts to all three credit bureaus but others report to just one or two. That can make a big difference in how your scores work out. 

If you've made every payment to your car loan on time, for instance, but your lender only reports that to one credit bureau, your positive payment history won't count in your score calculations with the other two. 

When you check your credit scores on different sites you may see very different results. And it's possible that a lender may not report to the credit bureaus at all, so those accounts never get factored into your score calculations

#3: Different credit score models - FICO vs. VantageScore

Credit scores are calculated using different formulas (those formulas are called models). The models look at a combination of factors to determine where you fall on the credit score range.

FICO is the most widely used credit scoring model, with scores ranging from 300 to 850 (the highest credit score possible). This model was developed by the Fair Isaac Corporation and calculates credit scores based on:

• Payment history - 35% of your score

• Debts and credit utilization - 30% of your score

• Credit age - 15% of your score

• Credit mix - 10% of your score

• Credit inquiries - 10% of your score

But FICO scores are not alone. Some lenders also use VantageScores to gauge creditworthiness.

VantageScores were developed by the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. VantageScores also range from 300 to 850 but they break down like this:

• Payment history - 40% of your score

• Depth of credit - 21% of your score

• Credit utilization - 20% of your score

• Balances - 11% of your score

• Recent credit - 5% of your score

• Available credit - 3% of your score

That's for VantageScore 3.0. The newer VantageScore 4.0 model gives slightly more weight to recent credit and slightly less weight to available credit. 

Since each model is calculated differently, it's only natural that you might end up with different credit score results. VantageScores tend to be slightly lower than FICO scores because of how they're weighted, even though they may rely on the same information from your credit reports. For instance, it’s possible to have a 750 FICO score and a 680 VantageScore. 

You may also see variations in your credit scores depending on what's being reported to each credit bureau. For example, if you have a car loan and your lender only reports to Equifax but not Experian or TransUnion, it can skew your credit score results. 

Which scores do lenders rely on the most?  FICO scores are the industry standard and 90% of top lenders use them for credit decisions. That doesn't mean your VantageScores don't matter, but FICO scores tend to get more attention. 

Pro tip: Paying on time is the best way to improve or maintain your credit score. 

#4: Different credit scores for different products

As mentioned, FICO is the most widely used credit scoring model. But that doesn't mean you have just one FICO score. 

In fact, there are multiple versions of FICO that generate different scores. For instance, there are product-based FICO scores for things like:

• Auto loans

• Credit cards

• Mortgage loans

You can have one (or in some cases, more than one) of each of these credit scores with each credit bureau. There are also newer generation FICO scores that are released periodically. Altogether, it's possible to have more than three dozen different FICO credit scores. 

VantageScore also updates its scoring model. VantageScore 3.0 is the most well-known model but there are earlier versions, as well as a newer version, the VantageScore 4.0. 

Pro tip: If you're planning to apply for a loan, getting preapproved could give you an idea of what terms the lender will offer.

#5: Impact of errors on credit scores

Credit report errors can drag your score down. Common credit report errors include:

• Accounts listed that belong to someone with the same name as you

• Payment information that's inaccurately reported

• Incorrect account balances or credit limits

• Accounts resulting from identity theft

Checking your credit reports regularly is the best way to spot errors. If you find an error you have the right to dispute it with the credit bureau that reported it. 

All three credit bureaus allow you to initiate a credit error dispute online. Once you submit a dispute, the credit bureau has to investigate your claim.

If the credit bureau finds an error, they have to either remove or correct it. And if no error is found they have to tell you why.

Disputes could help raise your credit score if you're able to get inaccurate information updated. Keep in mind that you can't dispute negative information if it's accurate. 

Which credit score matters most?

For lending purposes, the credit score that matters most is the one the lender uses to make loan decisions. Generally speaking, more lenders rely on FICO scores than VantageScores for credit approval. Before you apply, you could ask the lender which credit report and credit score they will use. They aren’t obligated to tell you, but some are willing to share this information.

When you check your own credit, you’re likely to see an “educational” credit score that isn’t exactly what lenders see. In most cases, this won’t matter. Educational credit scores help consumers track their financial progress, catch errors and head off fraud.

There are many sources of credit scores, from credit monitoring sites to credit card issuers (check your statement) to consumer education sites, and from the credit reporting agencies themselves. Make sure that you understand which scores you’re getting and the cost of receiving them.