Many websites offer credit monitoring or credit score information. Who do you trust if you are serious about knowing your credit score? How can you tell if they are correct?
This article will explain how the most well-known credit score websites work, how they obtain their information, and how it compares with how credit bureaus determine your creditworthiness.
What is your Credit Score? How do you calculate it?
Before we get into the accuracy of credit score websites, it is important that you understand what a credit score is and the various methods to calculate it.
Credit scores range from 300 to 850. This indicates your likelihood of repaying a loan or credit card. Lenders base their interest rates on your credit score. This is based on the likelihood that you will repay. If you have low credit scores, they will charge higher interest.
Credit scores can be calculated in many ways. One method of calculating credit scores is to generate a FICO score. FICO, an analytics software company, is most well-known for its ability to generate consumer credit scores.
FICO scores were calculated using the following information weighted separately:
- Sum owing
- Credit new
- History of payments
- Credit history length
- A mixture of credit types
The weighting of these categories depends on your credit history, as well as other factors. Although the algorithm is complex and proprietary, your score will be determined based on information provided by Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. Your FICO score could differ if each bureau has slightly different information.
Note that there is a variety of FICO scores and the company has scored for specific types of lending. Your FICO score may be different for an auto loan than for a credit card.
The three credit-rating agencies developed different methods to calculate credit scores. It’s called VantageScore. Your VantageScore is calculated by using a weighted mean of:
- Your available credit
- Recent credit
- History of payments
- Credit utilization
- Credit Depth
- Credit balances
FICO places the greatest emphasis on credit usage and payment history. However, VantageScore’s model makes it possible to produce credit scores for consumers who are not visible to FICO models. This includes those who are new to credit, or who do not use credit often.
VantageScore also offers reason codes to lenders that give reasons for any score. This allows lenders to better assess a consumer’s creditworthiness.
A lender will conduct a credit check and use FICO or VantageScore in order to determine your eligibility for credit.
Here are some reasons to know your credit score.
You might be interested in knowing your credit score for many reasons. This score is used to determine the rate you may be offered by potential lenders when you apply for a loan. Your credit score will determine how much you can save on financing.
Even if your credit score isn’t high enough to get loans, it will help you make improvements to improve it in the future. You can ensure that you are in the best position possible when it comes to buying a car or house or refinancing student loans.
How to get your free credit score or report?
Many banks offer credit monitoring and the opportunity to check your credit score free of charge. Check with your bank first to find out what they offer.
You can sign up for a free credit report each year from any of the three credit bureaus by the federal government. By visiting AnnualCreditReport.com, you can request your reports. Credit reports don’t usually include credit scores.
How does Credit Karma work?
Credit Karma lets users check their credit scores anytime, anywhere. You can also compare loans and credit cards without impacting your score.
Their credit monitoring service can be used to notify you if there are any significant changes in your credit report. You can also get tips and insight about which activities have an impact on your credit score and how to improve it.
Can this information be trusted? How do they obtain it? How can they give this service free of charge?
Credit Karma uses VantageScore for calculating your credit score. It takes both Equifax and TransUnion credit data and calculates your score. Credit Karma is safe to assume that it is reliable, as many lenders use this method to determine your credit score. Credit Karma is worth noting, however, that lenders may use FICO or VantageScore through Experian to determine your credit score.
You should also be aware that lenders may use different credit-scoring models from VantageScore or FICO for specific types of credit. Some locations also use their own models.
Credit Karma uses information from two of three credit bureaus as well as VantageScore, updating your information every week, so it is reasonable to trust.
How is this possible? Credit Karma partners with many lenders and banks to offer you personalized offers. They receive their income through these lenders and banks.
Credit Sesame: How it Works?
Credit Sesame is based on a site like Credit Karma. They offer free credit scores, monitoring, and advice, as well as personalized offers. They market themselves as a credit and lending company rather than a personal finance business.
Credit Sesame pulls credit information once per month from TransUnion. It also uses VantageScore for determining your credit score. therefore be considered reasonably reliable.
How does mint work?
Mint allows you to manage and track your finances from one location. They also offer free credit scores and credit monitoring. They offer advice and can help to improve credit scores.
Mint uses VantageScore. Although they don’t seem to disclose where their credit reports are sourced, others have suggested that they use Experian. Mint’s scores are likely to be equally valid with other comparable sites.
What are the requirements to qualify for the best loan rates or refinance rates?
FICO credit scores are broken down into five categories, from worst to most:
- Very poor (300-579): With these scores, it is virtually impossible to get credit.
- Fair (580-6699): These are subprime borrowers who generally qualify for the highest rates.
- Good (670-7399): These applicants are eligible for higher rates and it is expected that only 8% of them will be delinquent.
- Very good (740-7999): These applicants are usually eligible for higher-than-average rates.
- Exceptional (800-805): Anybody with this score should be able to qualify for the highest rates.
Here’s how the VantageScore scale works:
- Very poor (300-4999): It is unlikely that applicants will be approved for credit.
- Poor applicants (500-600) may be eligible for the lowest rates and may need to pay a larger down payment.
- Fair (601-660). These applicants usually get credit approval but they don’t get the best rates.
- Good (661-780). These applicants have a better chance of receiving more competitive rates.
- Excellent (781-850). Those who are in the top range get the best rates and offers.
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