In the U. S. , there are three national credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) that compete to capture, update and store credit histories on most U. S. consumers. While most of the information collected on consumers by the three credit bureaus is similar, there are differences. For example, one credit bureau may have unique information captured on a consumer that is not being captured by the other two, or the same data element may be stored or displayed differently by the credit bureaus.
A predictive FICO scoring system resides at each of these credit bureaus from which lenders request a FICO® Score when evaluating a particular consumers credit risk. The FICO scoring system design is similar across the credit bureaus so that consumers with high FICO Scores on bureau “As” data will likely see a similarly high FICO Score at the other two bureaus. If the data is the same across all three bureaus, people who have low FICO scores at bureau “A” are likely to also have low FICO scores at the other two.
When the scores are significantly different across bureaus, it is likely the underlying data in the credit bureaus is different and thus driving that observed score difference. However, there can be score differences even when the underlying data is identical as each of the bureaus FICO scoring system was designed to optimize the predictive value of their unique data.
If you want to get loans and credit cards at the best rates, you need to have a good credit score. When you check your credit and see a big difference between your scores from TransUnion and Equifax, sometimes as much as 100 points or more, it can be scary and puzzle you.
Don’t panic – there are some valid reasons why your credit scores can vary between bureaus Understanding what accounts for these discrepancies can help you interpret your credit scores correctly
How Credit Scores Are Calculated
Your credit scores are calculated based on the information in your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. While the bureaus all track basically the same credit information, there can be differences between the data each bureau has on file for you.
Credit scores take into account factors like
- Payment history – 35%
- Credit utilization – 30%
- Length of credit history – 15%
- New credit accounts – 10%
- Credit mix – 10%
But the weightings and formulas used to calculate scores can vary between different scoring models like FICO and VantageScore. On top of that, each bureau may fine tune the formulas, so your Equifax FICO score won’t be calculated exactly the same as your TransUnion FICO score.
6 Reasons Why Scores Vary Between Bureaus
With an understanding of how scores are determined, here are the main reasons you could see your TransUnion and Equifax scores differ significantly:
1. Not All Lenders Report to All Bureaus
Your credit report may not be sent to all three major credit bureaus by all lenders. Some may only send it to one or two.
Say you have a credit card that only reports to TransUnion. That won’t have any effect on your Equifax score. If you are late on payments or do anything else bad, it will hurt your TransUnion score compared to Equifax.
2. Differences in Credit Information
The information in your Equifax and TransUnion credit reports may be different because lenders don’t always report to all three.
One bureau may be missing an account you have open or may have incorrect or outdated information like an account incorrectly listed as past due. If the discrepant information is negative, it could significantly impact one score over the other.
3. Reporting Cycle Differences
Lenders typically report your balance and payment information to the credit bureaus on a monthly basis. But different lenders may report at different times each month.
For example, your credit card provider may report your latest balance to Equifax on the 5th of each month, but to TransUnion on the 20th. A big credit card purchase that posts right after the Equifax reporting date but before the TransUnion date would temporarily inflate your balance with TransUnion, potentially lowering that score.
4. Inquiries Aren’t Always Matched
When you apply for new credit, the lender performs a “hard inquiry” on your credit report to check your creditworthiness. Too many hard inquiries in a short timeframe can negatively impact your scores.
The bureaus have systems to match duplicate inquiries and count multiple inquiries for the same item, like a mortgage or auto loan, as just one inquiry. But sometimes inquiries aren’t properly matched between bureaus. One bureau may show more hard inquiries than the others, resulting in a lower score.
5. Differences in Credit Scoring Models
As mentioned earlier, TransUnion and Equifax use their own proprietary scoring models to generate your credit scores. The algorithms and weightings of factors differ between models, so you may just score better with one model than another.
For example, if you have limited credit history, VantageScore 3.0 used by TransUnion may score you more favorably than the Equifax FICO model since FICO tends to prefer lengthy credit histories.
6. Credit Report Errors
Finally, incorrect or outdated information on your credit reports due to reporting errors or unresolved disputes can also create score discrepancies between bureaus. Always check your reports for errors and dispute any inaccurate information.
Which Score Is More Important?
Since your TransUnion and Equifax scores can differ for legitimate reasons, neither score is necessarily “better” or more accurate.
The most important thing is to check all your credit scores regularly for changes so that you understand your credit standing with both bureaus. Pay particular attention if you see a sudden drop in one score – that could indicate a problem on that credit report to address.
When applying for credit, you won’t know which bureau’s credit report the lender will use in their decision-making. Some lenders may focus on just one score, while others look at multiple or even custom blended scores that incorporate data from all three major bureaus.
The scoring model used is also important. Most lenders rely on FICO scores, so pay attention to your FICO scores from each bureau rather than your VantageScores.
How to Check TransUnion vs. Equifax Scores
To stay on top of your credit health and monitor discrepancies between bureaus, check your credit reports and scores regularly using a free service like Credit Karma.
You can obtain free copies of your Equifax and TransUnion credit reports annually through AnnualCreditReport.com. Checking your actual credit reports is important to verify your information and check for errors.
Credit Karma provides free online access to your latest VantageScore 3.0 credit scores from TransUnion and Equifax, updated weekly. So you can keep an eye on both bureau’s scores and see how they trend over time.
While Credit Karma shows your VantageScore instead of FICO, you can use it to monitor for any major inconsistencies or drops in your scores. Checking both scores regularly makes it easy to stay on top of your credit health with both bureaus.
Take Action if You See a Big Discrepancy
A variance of a few points between your TransUnion and Equifax scores is normal. But if you notice a difference of 50 points or more, take these steps:
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Order full credit reports from both bureaus to compare your information side-by-side. Look for accounts listed only with one bureau or differences in account statuses, balances, etc.
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Dispute any errors with the bureaus. Provide evidence like bank statements or account notices.
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Contact creditors to update any incorrect account information they may be reporting.
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Monitor your scores with both bureaus going forward to make sure they align more closely as errors are corrected.
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Going forward, be sure to check your credit with both Equifax and TransUnion before any major credit applications to understand how the lender will view your creditworthiness.
Significant variances between your Equifax and TransUnion credit scores can be confusing and concerning, but are usually explainable. Don’t panic, and don’t assume one score is more “real” than the other. Monitor both scores over time and take corrective action if you notice major inconsistencies that could indicate credit report errors or omissions.
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In the U.S., there are three national credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) that compete to capture, update and store credit histories on most U.S. consumers. While most of the information collected on consumers by the three credit bureaus is similar, there are differences. For example, one credit bureau may have unique information captured on a consumer that is not being captured by the other two, or the same data element may be stored or displayed differently by the credit bureaus.
A predictive FICO scoring system resides at each of these credit bureaus from which lenders request a FICO® Score when evaluating a particular consumers credit risk. The FICO scoring system design is similar across the credit bureaus so that consumers with high FICO Scores on bureau “As” data will likely see a similarly high FICO Score at the other two bureaus. Conversely consumers with lower FICO scores at bureau “A” will likely get low FICO Scores at the other two bureaus when the underlying data is the same across the bureaus.
When the scores are significantly different across bureaus, it is likely the underlying data in the credit bureaus is different and thus driving that observed score difference. However, there can be score differences even when the underlying data is identical as each of the bureaus FICO scoring system was designed to optimize the predictive value of their unique data.
Keep in mind the following points when comparing scores across bureaus:
- Not all credit scores are “FICO” scores. So, make sure the credit scores you are comparing are actual FICO Scores.
- The FICO scores should be accessed at the same time. The passage of time can result in score differences due to model characteristics that have a time based component. Comparing a FICO score pulled on bureau “A” from last week to a score pulled on bureau “B” today can be problematic as the “week-old score” may already be “dated”.
- All of your credit information may not be reported to all three credit bureaus. The information on your credit report is supplied by lenders, collection agencies and court records. Dont assume that each credit bureau has the same information pertaining to your credit history.
- You may have applied for credit under different names (for example, Robert Jones versus Bob Jones) or a maiden name, which may cause fragmented or incomplete files at the credit reporting agencies. While, in most cases, the credit bureaus combine all files accurately under the same person, there are many instances where incomplete files or inaccurate data (social security numbers, addresses, etc.) cause one persons credit information to appear on someone elses credit report.
- Lenders report credit information to the credit bureaus at different times, often resulting in one agency having more up-to-date information than another.
- The credit bureaus may record, display or store the same information in different ways.
Transunion vs Equifax – Which Credit Score Matters More? (What’s the Difference?)
FAQ
Are TransUnion and Equifax credit scores the same?
The truth is, although both credit bureaus use the same credit scoring model and factors to calculate credit scores, your TransUnion credit score and your Equifax credit score will rarely be identical; in some cases, your TransUnion score will be higher, while in others, your Equifax score will surpass it.
Why is my Equifax score lower than my TransUnion?
The lower Equifax number is a common concern for many people. Why is this score lower than your TransUnion score? Because TransUnion weights personal and employment data into their model, while TransUnion does not. How did my credit score go down 100 points in a month? What causes a 100-point credit score drop?.
Does TransUnion report to Equifax?
If your lender only reports to Experian and Equifax, your TransUnion score won’t be impacted by this lender. Credit reporting agencies get a lot of the same information, but because lenders report things in different ways, your credit score may be different depending on which agency you check. Is TransUnion or Equifax more accurate?.
Do TransUnion & Equifax have the same data points?
These days, TransUnion and Equifax may get some of the same information from different places, depending on which lenders report to which agencies. Although this should only have a minor impact on your credit report, it’s critical to check all three of your reports if you want a full picture of your credit profile.
How can I Check my Equifax & TransUnion credit score?
To check both my Equifax and Transunion scores, I signed up for both Credit Karma and Borrowell. They are a free credit reporting website. To sign up with both these resources, it is free. They make it free to check your credit score by providing recommendations and credit card referrals for commissions..
How many months of credit history does Equifax & TransUnion have?
Regarding credit reports, Equifax includes 81 months of credit history, whereas TransUnion includes 84 months. Because different lenders rely on different credit reporting agencies, regularly monitoring reports and scores from more than one bureau can help you avoid financing rejections.
Which is more accurate, TransUnion or Equifax?
One credit bureau isn’t more accurate than another, rather, they may simply have different methods of calculating your credit score. It’s important to note that all three bureaus are used widely in the U.S. None of them are more “important” than the others.
Why are my TransUnion and Equifax 100 points different?
As previously mentioned, Equifax and TransUnion scores may vary as a result of lenders reporting to different credit bureaus.Jan 20, 2025
Why is there a 100 point difference in my credit score?
When the scores are significantly different across bureaus, it is likely the underlying data in the credit bureaus is different and thus driving that observed score difference.
Why is my Experian score 100 points lower than TransUnion and Equifax?
Data differences
Not all lenders report to all three credit bureaus. Some might send updates to TransUnion and Equifax but ghost Experian entirely. So if you’ve got a positive payment streak that only TransUnion knows about, that explains why your Experian credit score feels like the odd one out.