Does TransUnion Use FICO or VantageScore?

TransUnion supplies both FICO and VantageScore credit scores, so the answer is not 'either/or.' Which model you see depends on the lender's choice: most mortgage, auto and credit‑card issuers still pull a FICO version (often FICO 8 or 9), while many online‑only lenders and some newer credit‑card programs prefer VantageScore 4.0 because it updates more quickly (see the 'how lenders choose FICO or VantageScore with TransUnion' section for a deeper dive).

In practice, the same TransUnion file can generate multiple scores simultaneously, and the model a lender requests determines which number you receive.

On a TransUnion consumer report you'll see whichever numeric model the data‑requestor chose - typically the default VantageScore (often labeled 'TransUnion Credit Score') or a FICO Score if the lender specified one, as we noted earlier.

• VantageScore 3.0 - the standard 'TransUnion Credit Score' most people receive
• VantageScore 4.0 - appears when a lender requests the newer version
• FICO Score 8 - the most widely used FICO version across credit cards and auto loans
• FICO Score 9 - shown for newer mortgage and credit‑card applications
• FICO Score 10 - appears for lenders that adopt the latest algorithm
• Industry‑specific FICO scores (Auto, Mortgage, Credit‑Card) - provided when the loan type triggers a specialized model
• Custom TransUnion scores (e.g., TransRisk) - occasional proprietary scores for niche products

Next we'll examine how lenders decide which of these models to pull from TransUnion.

Lenders pick the model that fits their risk policy, product type, and the version they have licensed from TransUnion; mortgages typically pull the latest FICO version, while many auto and credit‑card issuers prefer VantageScore 4.0 because it updates in real time.

The choice also depends on the underwriting software's accepted scores - some lenders run both and keep the higher, but most stick to the industry‑standard model for that loan, which explains why a mortgage inquiry shows a FICO 9 and a credit‑card pre‑approval shows a VantageScore 3.0, as noted earlier in the 'which score you see on your TransUnion report' section.

Lenders generally pull the FICO Score 8 (the 'Classic' version) from TransUnion when they request a credit score. This version is the most widely accepted across auto, credit‑card and many personal‑loan decisions, as noted in the earlier 'how lenders choose FICO or VantageScore with TransUnion' section.

Some lenders, especially mortgage or premium‑credit programs, may request newer versions such as FICO Score 9, FICO Score 10, or the FICO Score 10T from TransUnion, but these are less common and often industry‑specific. The choice depends on the product's risk model and the lender's underwriting policy, not on the consumer's report itself. For a quick reference on why FICO Score 8 remains the default, see FICO Score 8 details.

FICO and VantageScore look at the same credit file but weight the details differently, so a single TransUnion report can generate two distinct numbers. Here are five key ways the models treat your data:

• Recency emphasis - FICO gives extra weight to activity within the last 12 months, while VantageScore spreads the influence of recent and older behavior more evenly across the entire credit history.
• Paid collections - FICO typically keeps a paid collection on your score for up to seven years, whereas VantageScore often drops a paid collection to neutral after 12 months of on‑time payments.
• Credit‑mix importance - FICO rewards a varied mix of installment, revolving and mortgage accounts; VantageScore considers mix helpful but does not penalize the absence of a particular type as strongly.
• Hard inquiry impact - FICO counts each hard pull for 12 months and discounts it after 24 months; VantageScore looks at inquiries within a 24‑month window and may ignore multiple pulls from the same lender.
• Alternative data inclusion - VantageScore 4.0 incorporates rental and utility payments more aggressively than most FICO versions, which only began factoring such data in newer releases like FICO 10.

FICO and VantageScore often produce different numbers because each model weighs and treats credit data uniquely, and because lenders may pull different versions of each score. For example, FICO (especially versions 8‑10) discounts a single 30‑day late payment more than VantageScore 4.0, while VantageScore penalizes high utilization on a brand‑new account more heavily than most FICO models. The models also differ on how they handle medical collections, payday loans, and thin‑file consumers.

Concrete mismatches you might see on a TransUnion report

• A 30‑day late mortgage payment: FICO 720, VantageScore 690.
• Credit utilization at 45 % on a card opened last month: FICO 680, VantageScore 710.
• One medical collection older than two years: FICO 710, VantageScore 690 (FICO often excludes older medical debt).
• Two recent payday loans: FICO 650, VantageScore 620 (VantageScore applies a harsher penalty).

These gaps illustrate why the same TransUnion file can show a 'good' FICO score and a 'fair' VantageScore, or vice versa. Understanding which model a lender uses (see the next section) helps you predict how a particular credit event will affect each score. FICO Score 10 model overview VantageScore 4.0 methodology

You can confirm the exact model a lender used by checking the score disclosure they provide and matching it to known version characteristics.

• Review the credit‑score statement or online portal; lenders must list 'FICO® Score 9 (TransUnion)' or 'VantageScore 4.0 (TransUnion)' when they share the number.
• Request a copy of the score under the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the report includes the model name and version.
• Compare the score range and naming conventions: FICO scores use the 'FICO® Score' label and often indicate a product tag (Auto, Bankcard, Mortgage), while VantageScore shows 'VantageScore' with the version number.
• Note the loan type: mortgages typically rely on FICO 2, 3, or 4; auto loans frequently use FICO Auto; many fintech apps now use VantageScore 4.0.
• Examine the lender's disclosure in the loan agreement or pre‑approval letter; a line such as 'Your rate is based on the TransUnion VantageScore 4.0' confirms the model.
• Use the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau guide to understand how score models appear on statements.

TransUnion supplies both FICO and VantageScore reports, so improving the underlying data lifts both scores.

1. Pay every bill by the due date. On‑time payment accounts for the largest weight in both models.
2. Trim credit‑card balances so utilization stays under 30 % and aim for single‑digit percentages for the fastest boost.
3. Keep the oldest accounts open; a longer average age of credit lifts the length‑of‑history factor.
4. Avoid unnecessary hard pulls; space new credit applications at least six months apart to protect inquiry scores.
5. Add a different type of credit, such as a small installment loan, if you only have revolving accounts; a varied mix benefits both scoring formulas.
6. Dispute any inaccuracies on your TransUnion file; correcting errors immediately improves the data each model uses.
7. Review your TransUnion report each month; spotting and addressing changes early prevents score drops.

Dispute any TransUnion error that drags down a FICO or VantageScore by filing a precise, documented challenge with TransUnion's online portal or certified‑mail process.

• Pull the latest TransUnion report (see section 2) and highlight every inaccurate line.
• Gather supporting documents: bank statements, payment confirmations, or closed‑account letters.
• Log the dispute date, method, and reference number in a spreadsheet for tracking.
• Submit the dispute online at TransUnion's dispute page or mail a letter that includes copies of the evidence and a brief statement of the error.
• Include the FTC's recommended wording for disputing errors on your credit report.
• Await TransUnion's investigation (up to 30 days) and review the response letter they send.
• If the error persists, escalate by sending a certified follow‑up with the same documents and request a re‑investigation.
• Once corrected, re‑run the score check described earlier to confirm the improvement.

When TransUnion confirms the correction, the updated data instantly feeds into both scoring models, so you can see the score lift without delay.

TransUnion can also send these lesser‑known scores:

• TransUnion CreditScore - a proprietary version of VantageScore 4.0 that appears on some consumer portals.
• CreditVision Risk Score - a behavior‑based model that predicts future delinquency using real‑time activity.
• CreditRisk Score - an insurance‑industry score that evaluates likelihood of filing a claim.
• Auto Score - a model tuned for automobile financing, weighing factors like recent vehicle purchases.
• Mortgage Score - a scoring system built for home‑loan underwriting, emphasizing payment history on existing mortgages.

These scores may show up on a credit report when a lender requests a 'custom' product instead of the standard FICO or VantageScore, as mentioned in the 'how lenders choose' section.