Why Do I Have Different Credit Scores?

You don’t have one credit score, you have dozens. Your bank says 720, your lender says 695. Both are technically correct.

Here’s why: There are 3 different credit bureaus, 50+ scoring models, and each one looks at slightly different data. Your scores vary because they’re measuring different things at different times.

The 3 Reasons Your Credit Scores Differ

Every score variation comes down to one of these three factors: Understand them, and the confusion goes away.

Reason 1: Three Bureaus, Three Different Reports

The three major credit bureaus - Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion don’t share information with each other. They operate independently, collecting data from lenders who choose which bureau(s) to report to.

Here’s an example to help you understand what’s going on:

Your credit card company reports to Experian and TransUnion but not Equifax. That means your Equifax report is missing an entire account - one that shows perfect payment history. Result? Equifax score is lower even though you’ve done nothing wrong.

Why Lenders Don’t Report to All Three Bureaus

Reporting to credit bureaus costs money. Small lenders, credit unions, and local banks often report to just one or two bureaus to save costs. Larger national lenders usually report to all three, but even they might report at different times (more on this in the 3rd reason below)

Key insight: This is why checking just one bureau gives you an incomplete picture. You need to monitor all three.

Reason 2: Over 50 Different Scoring Models

FICO alone has 28 different versions. VantageScore has 5. Auto lenders use FICO Auto Score. Mortgage lenders use FICO 2, 4, and 5. Credit card companies might use FICO 8 or Bankcard Score.

Each model weighs factors differently. One might care about your payment history. Another focuses on credit utilization.

Same data, different math, different score.

FICO vs. VantageScore: The Two Main Models

Notice how VantageScore weighs payment history at 40% while FICO weighs it at 35%? If you have perfect payment history but high utilization, your VantageScore might be higher than your FICO score.

Reason 3: Different Timing = Different Scores

Credit scores are snapshots, not live feeds. When you check your score on Monday, it might reflect data from last Wednesday. Check again on Friday, and it might show updated information.

Here’s a quick example to make this easier to understand:

You pay off the $5,000 credit card balance on the 10th. The bureau updates daily and shows your new score (higher) on the 12th. Your bank updates monthly and won’t show the change until the 20th. Same person, same credit, two different scores because of update timing.

When Lenders Report to Bureaus

Most lenders report once a month, typically on or near your statement closing date. But not all lenders report at the same time:

1. Credit card companies usually report on your statement closing date
2. Auto loan servicers report once monthly, but the date varies
3. Mortgage lenders typically report mid-month
4. Some creditors only report every 30-34 days

Which Score Actually Matters?

Not all credit scores are created equal. Some matter for major financial decisions. Others are just informational.

When Should You Actually Worry About Score Differences?

Small variations (10-30) points are normal and expected. But large gaps might signal a problem.

Don’t panic if

1. Your scores across the three bureaus differ by 10-30 points
2. Your score fluctuates 5-15 points month to month
3. FICO 8 is higher than FICO 2 (this is common - older methods are stricter)

Investigate immediately if:

1. One bureau shows a score 100+ points lower than the others
2. Your score dropped 50+ points in one month with no major changes
3. You see accounts you don’t recognize
4. One report shows late payments you never made

One of the biggest hidden credit score killers? Forgotten subscriptions that go unpaid and hit collections. Chargeback’s AI automatically tracks all your recurring charges and cancels unwanted subscriptions before they damage your credit. Protect your score at Chargeback now.

How to Check All Your Credit Scores?

If you want the complete picture, here’s where to find each score:

Free Options

1. Free credit monitoring services - Many services offer free VantageScore 3.0 from TransUnion and Equifax (updates weekly)
2. Your bank or credit card app - Most major banks offer free FICO scores (usually FICO 8)
3. Experian.com - free FICO 9 from Experian

Paid Options (If you’re buying a house or car soon)

1. myFICO.com ($29.95/month) - Access to 28 FICO scores including mortgage specific scores (FICO 2, 4, 5) and auto scores

What to do About Your Different Credit Scores

Focus on trends, not specific numbers. If all your scores are moving in the same direction - up or down - that’s what matters.

These habits improve every scoring model across all three bureaus:

1. Pay every bill on time
2. Keep credit utilization under 10%
3. Don’t close old credit cards
4. Check all three credit reports annually
5. Dispute errors immediately

FAQs for Different Credit Scores

Why do I have different credit scores?

You have different credit scores because there are 3 credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) that collect data independently, 50+ scoring models that weight factors differently, and scores are calculated at different times with different data.

Which credit score is most accurate?

All your credit scores are “accurate” for their specific purpose. FICO scores (especially FICO 2, 4, and 5) matter most for mortgages.

Is a 100-point difference between bureaus normal?

No. A 100+ point difference suggests reporting errors or identity theft. Check all three credit reports immediately for accounts you don't recognize, incorrect balances, or fraudulent activity.

How often do credit scores update?

Your scores update whenever lenders report new data to the bureaus (typically monthly) and whenever you check them. Free monitoring services update weekly, bank apps update monthly, and your actual credit bureau scores update whenever new information is reported.

The Bottom Line

Stop obsessing over which score is “right.” The score that matters is the one that your lender uses. Focus on improving habits (pay on time, low utilization) since these will improve your ALL your scores.