What is the most accurate way to check your credit score

This question is about Credit Scores

WalletHub, Financial Company

@WalletHub 06/15/20 This answer was first published on 06/15/20. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

The most accurate credit scores are the latest versions of the FICO Score and VantageScore credit-scoring models: FICO Score 8 and VantageScore 3.0. It is important to check a reputable, accurate credit score because there are more than 1,000 different types of credit scores floating around.

But if your objective is to see how accurately the credit score you’re checking reflects what lenders will use to evaluate an application to borrow, that isn’t possible. Lenders interpret credit data from the major bureaus in different ways, using publicly available credit data as the basis for their own proprietary credit score models. A car loan lender might weigh on-time car payments more heavily than mortgage payments, for example.

Checking the same credit score a lender uses isn’t really necessary, either. Your credit score shouldn’t vary too much from one credit-score model to another. Analysis from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that despite the different models used to analyze credit, the majority provided, “similar information.” If you had good credit from one model, you’d likely have good credit from another.

The best approach is to track your credit score from one reputable source over time. Choosing one model to follow makes any variations in your score from model to model a moot point, and tracking your score’s overall trend – whether it’s increasing or decreasing – can tell you more than your specific credit score number at a given time. If your score is increasing, good job! You’re doing the right things, so keep it up. This upward trend shows your reliability as a borrower and is an indication that, with time, you will be eligible for better borrowing terms and rates. If your score is regularly decreasing, this could be a sign of poor credit habits and could clue you in to changes you need to make in your personal finances.

If you don’t know what your credit score is, you can get free daily credit score updates from WalletHub. You’ll also get free personalized advice about exactly how to improve your credit score and how long you can expect it to take.

What is the most accurate way to check your credit score

Blake, Member

@truckerblakej1996 11/20/20 This answer was first published on 11/20/20. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

I would have to say 800 would be an accurate score 

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People also ask

Is WalletHub accurate?

Yes, WalletHub is as accurate as it gets. It’s the first (and in our opinion, the best) free credit score provider that updates your credit report DAILY, directly from TransUnion, one of the three major consumer credit bureaus.

We also show you your VantageScore 3.0, which is the first credit score model created in partnership among all three credit bureaus — TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. read full answer

The only way your credit data wouldn’t be accurate is if there are errors on your TransUnion credit report, which would, in turn, affect your credit score. If that’s the case, we encourage you to follow these steps.

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Can I trust Credit Karma?

Much like WalletHub, Credit Karma is a website that offers free credit scores. As such, questions of its trustworthiness are bound to arise. Most of us don’t have a lot of experience with credit scores, after all, and many folks’ first impressions are probably still tainted by flashbacks to the days when catchy jingles promising free credit scores led only to free trials for pricey subscription services that were difficult to cancel. And while a healthy amount of skepticism is wise when perusing any website that requests personal or financial information, it’s safe to say that Credit Karma is not one that should merit much worry.read full answer

Credit Karma is a legitimate website and not a scam, after all, providing helpful services to people for free, with no credit card required. The company did run afoul of the Federal Trade Commission, which in 2014 settled charges alleging negligent mobile data security practices, but that shouldn’t necessarily scare you off. Credit Karma must now submit to biennial independent security audits , which figure to help protect your personal information, along with an “https” connection and 128-bit encryption.

There’s little reason to question the credit data that Credit Karma provides, either, considering that it’s direct from the credit bureau. It could contain errors, sure. One in five credit reports has a mistake in it, according to the FTC. But that has nothing to do with Credit Karma; so-called “data furnishers” such as financial institutions, landlords and employers are typically to blame. Credit Karma’s credit scores are accurate as well, despite being a bit outdated.

With that being said, there are two areas in which doubt enters the trustworthiness equation:

  • Questionable Recommendations: Credit Karma relies heavily on advertising to pay the bills, and this unfortunately pervades the products and services that you get pitched while reviewing your credit standing. You will receive recommendations for offers from Credit Karma’s advertising partners only, which means Credit Karma’s pockets take precedence over yours. And you’ll never know if you’re truly seeing the best offers on the market using only Credit Karma’s site. Sure, some measure of advertising can be expected from a purveyor of free credit scores, as nothing is truly free and someone has to pay the credit bureaus for their product. But that doesn’t mean you should trust what you see.
  • Decision Making On A Delay: The freshness of Credit Karma’s credit data might serve as another cause for pause, seeing as it only happens once a week and if you log in. That means you’ll be managing your money on a delay and, once again, won’t know what important information you’re missing in the interim.

These points just go to show that while Credit Karma is generally trustworthy, trusting it implicitly or exclusively isn’t advisable.

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Does WalletHub use FICO or Vantage for scoring?

WalletHub uses the VantageScore 3.0 scoring model.

VantageScore 3.0 is one of the most popular credit scores on the market, both among lenders and consumers. It's used by more than 2,400 lenders, for example, including 20 of the top 25. And over 8 billion VantageScore 3.0 credit scores are issued per year.read full answer

You can learn more about VantageScore 3.0 here and you can get your credit score updated daily, for free, here.

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WalletHub members have a wealth of knowledge to share, and we encourage everyone to do so while respecting our content guidelines. This question was posted by WalletHub. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not a financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.

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What is the most accurate site to check your credit score?

Best Overall AnnualCreditReport.com The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau confirms that AnnualCreditReport.com is the official website that allows you to access each of your credit reports from all three of the major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — at no cost.

Is Credit Karma or Experian more accurate?

Experian vs. Credit Karma: Which is more accurate for your credit scores? You may be surprised to know that the simple answer is that both are accurate. Read on to find out what's different between the two companies, how they get your credit scores, and why you have more than one credit score to begin with.

What is the best way to get the most accurate credit score?

You can start by going to the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion first by logging on to AnnualCreditReport.com to check your report for free. Each agency gives you access to your report once every 12 months. 4 You'll have to pay them if you want your credit score.

Is Credit Karma Score accurate?

Here's the short answer: The credit scores and reports you see on Credit Karma come directly from TransUnion and Equifax, two of the three major consumer credit bureaus. The credit scores and reports you see on Credit Karma should accurately reflect your credit information as reported by those bureaus.