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Credit Scores

Q&A: This is why credit scores are so confusing

August 5, 2019 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: I am from Germany. I have had a bank account in America for over one year. Now I get my FICO score. After six months it was 738, half a year later, it was 771 and one month after that, 759. Why does it change in such a short time? Is it the real FICO score?

Answer: Welcome to the U.S. and its sometimes-baffling credit scoring systems. Even people who were born here often misunderstand how credit scores work.

You don’t have just one score; you have many, and they change all the time to reflect the changing information in your credit reports. Higher or lower balances on a credit card, a new credit application or the simple passage of time can make the numbers change.

The FICO scoring system is the most dominant, but lenders also use VantageScore, a FICO rival created by the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion), plus proprietary scores.

You also will see different numbers depending on which credit bureau report is used to create the score and which version of the score is used. Credit scoring formulas may be designed for certain industries and formulas are updated over time.

So your FICO Auto Score 6 from Experian likely won’t be the same as your FICO 4 from TransUnion, your FICO Bankcard Score 4 from Equifax or your VantageScore 3 from any of the bureaus, even if you get all the scores on the same day.

It can be hard to predict which score a lender will use, but the same behaviors tend to be rewarded by all of them. Those behaviors include paying bills on time, using only a small portion of your available credit, having different types of credit (installment loans and revolving accounts, such as credit cards) and applying for new credit sparingly.

If you’re using a score to monitor your credit, it’s important to use the same kind from the same bureau — otherwise you’re comparing apples and oranges, as we say in English.

Filed Under: Credit Scoring, Q&A Tagged With: Credit Scores, credit scoring, q&a

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

July 16, 2019 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: What to do when back-to-school bites you in the budget. Also in the news: Advice and warnings for starting your own cannabis business, why Millennials need to build credit smarts and find out of your state is having a back-to-school tax-free weekend.

What to Do When Back to School Bites You in the Budget
You’ll need to prioritize.

Advice and warnings for starting your own cannabis business
The new Green economy.

Millennial Money: Credit score up? Build credit smarts, too
Protect your score.

Find Out If Your State Is Having a Back-to-School Tax-Free Weekend in 2019
Did your state make the list?

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: back-to-school shopping, cannabis, Credit Scores, millennials and credit, tax-free weekend, tips

Monday’s need-to-know money news

May 20, 2019 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: The average credit score is rising. Also in the news: 3 money-saving tips for buying a washer, a statute of limitations on student loans, and why you should always buy airfare on a credit card.

Credit Scores Are Rising — Is Yours, Too?
Every little bit matters.

Want to Clean Up? 3 Money-Saving Tips for Buying a Washer
Don’t get hung out to dry.

Is There a Statute of Limitations on Student Loans?
The answer is complicated.

Always Buy Airfare on a Credit Card
Additional protection.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: airfare, Credit Cards, Credit Scores, statute of limitations, Student Loans, tips, travel, washing machines

Is better credit worth exposing your bank data?

May 7, 2019 By Liz Weston

America’s credit bureaus haven’t exactly covered themselves in glory when it comes to protecting your private data. So you might well be skeptical about two new credit-enhancing products that require not just credit information but also access to your bank accounts.

In my latest for the Associated Press, why the boost in your score might not be worth the exposure of your banking data.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Credit Score, Credit Scores, Experian Boost, UltraFICO

Monday’s need-to-know money news

April 29, 2019 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Make a home down payment without wrecking your finances. Also in the news: What could happen to your credit score when you close accounts, how to sidestep the potential pitfalls of travel credit cards, and why most teens don’t believe they’ll be financially independent from their parents by age 30.

Make a Home Down Payment Without Wrecking Your Finances
Don’t leave yourself empty-handed.

Ditching Credit Cards? Here’s What Could Happen to Your Score
Closing your accounts could lower your score.

How to Sidestep the Potential Pitfalls of Travel Credit Cards
Dodging blackout dates.

Teens don’t believe they’ll be financially independent from parents by 30: Survey
Bad news for parents.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: Credit Scores, mortgage down payment, real estate, teens and money, travel credit cards

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

April 23, 2019 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: In the points and miles game, blind loyalty can cost you. Also in the news: The best mortgage lenders with no origination fee, how a personal loan affects your credit score, and how thinking like an optimist could help you save more.

In the Points and Miles Game, Blind Loyalty Can Cost You
You could end up losing the points game.

Best Mortgage Lenders with No Origination Fee of 2019
They’re not easy to find.

How Does a Personal Loan Affect Your Credit Score?
A chance to improve your score.

To Save More, Think Like an Optimist
The saving power of positive thinking.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: airline miles, Credit Scores, mortgage lenders, origination fees, Personal Loans, rewards, Savings, travel rewards

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