You’ve got more than 27 credits scores…and don’t even know it
Yeah, you read that right.
Wait — did I say more than 27? Just kidding — that was a typo. I meant more than 37!
You don’t have one credit score. Not even three. You’ve got about 39 different FICO scores in total— and most of them you’ve never seen.
Here’s how it breaks down👇
There are 3 major credit bureaus:
Equifax. Experian. TransUnion. Each one holds slightly different data on you. Then comes FICO — the third-party scoring model used by most lenders. They don’t generate reports like the bureaus. They analyze the data the bureaus collect… and assign scores based on different algorithms. And they don’t just give you one score. They’ve got base scores: FICO 8, 9, 10, 10T… And industry-specific scores: Auto, Bankcard, and Mortgage……. Tally all that across all three bureaus? That’s 39 unique scores being used against you — or for you — depending on the situation. So when someone says, “I got an 800 credit score,” Ask them: “Which one? The one Credit Karma told you? Or the one your mortgage lender’s really gonna pull?”
Here’s What Matters 👇
🏠 Mortgage lenders? They’re pulling the old-school FICO 5, 4, and 2
🚗 Auto lenders? They’re using FICO Auto Scores
💳 Credit cards? They’re pulling FICO Bankcard Scores
💡 Credit Karma and free credit apps?
They show you a VantageScore — not FICO.
Most lenders don’t even use it — though a few credit unions are starting to.
Bottom Line:
If you’re house hunting, FICO 5 (Equifax), 4 (TransUnion), and 2 (Experian) decide your approval, your rate, and your terms — not the score in your app. I’ve seen this firsthand — as a former mortgage officer and currently credentialed loan originator (NMLS #12345).
I’ve pulled files where someone swore they had a 760 — and it came back a 680.
Wrong score. Wrong model. Wrong expectations.
And please keep in mind — a high 5, 4, 2 score is a key factor in getting approved.
But don’t get it twisted: it’s far from the only factor.
Time to get all the facts — not just the flashy numbers.
📩 Have questions? Want us to cover a topic in the next blog? Send us suggestions — we’ll answer it in plain English. We’re not just here to post.
We’re here to educate, empower, and help you move different — with game, intent, and execution.
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