What Is TransUnion FICO Score 4?

FICO Score 4 predicts the probability that you will be 90 days past due on a loan within the next 24 months, using the 300‑850 scale and the data TransUnion holds on your credit file.

For example, a borrower with a 740 score typically has a long repayment history, low credit‑card balances (under 30 % utilization), no recent delinquencies, and a mix of revolving and installment accounts. A consumer with a 610 score often carries high balances, missed a recent payment, and has a short or thin credit history. Both scenarios illustrate how the score reflects payment behavior, amount owed, credit age, new credit, and credit mix.

FICO Score 4 differs from other credit scores because it is the only model built exclusively on TransUnion data and it incorporates newer signals such as rent, utilities and medical payments, while older models like FICO Score 2 (Experian) and FICO Score 3 (Equifax) rely on legacy credit‑card and loan histories only.

The algorithm also gives heavier weight to recent activity, meaning a payment made six months ago will affect your score more than a similar payment made three years ago. Both scores still range from 300 to 850, but the underlying calculations are not interchangeable.

In practice, this means lenders who request TransUnion FICO Score 4 see a snapshot that reflects your current borrowing habits more accurately than a traditional score.

Consequently, the same numeric value can translate to a different risk assessment depending on which model the lender uses. For example, a 720 from FICO Score 4 might qualify you for a lower mortgage rate, whereas a 720 from an older FICO model could be viewed as less predictive of future behavior. Understanding this distinction prepares you for the next section on what your FICO Score 4 number means for you. How FICO scores are calculated

Your TransUnion FICO Score 4 number places you on the 300‑850 scale and signals to lenders how risky you are for credit.

• 300‑579  -  poor; lenders often deny new credit or apply the highest APRs.
• 580‑669  -  fair; you may qualify for some products but will face higher rates and lower limits.
• 670‑739  -  good; most standard loans approve you at average rates.
• 740‑799  -  very good; you receive better rates, larger limits, and more negotiating power.
• 800‑850  -  exceptional; you enjoy the lowest rates, premium offers, and the strongest bargaining position. Lender cut‑offs vary, so your exact score determines the interest rate, credit‑limit size, and eligibility for premium cards or mortgage programs.

TransUnion FICO Score 4 powers most lenders that have upgraded to the newest scoring model, especially for mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, government‑backed loans, and some small‑business financing.

• Mortgage lenders such as Quicken Loans, Wells Fargo, and loan‑origination platforms that underwrite conventional and FHA/VA loans use FICO Score 4 to set rates and approve borrowers.
• Auto‑finance companies like Ally, Capital One Auto Finance, and dealership financing arms apply FICO Score 4 when pricing new‑car and refinance loans.
• Major credit‑card issuers - including Chase, American Express, and Citi - evaluate applications with FICO Score 4 to determine credit limits and promotional APRs.
• Government‑backed programs, for example USDA Rural Development loans and certain SBA micro‑loans, reference FICO Score 4 as part of their underwriting criteria.
• Small‑business lenders such as OnDeck and BlueVine incorporate FICO Score 4 into their risk models for term‑loan and line‑of‑credit decisions.

FICO Score 4 directly feeds lenders' pricing engines, so a higher number usually means a lower APR and a smoother path to approval, while a lower number raises the interest cost or triggers a denial. For example, a borrower with a TransUnion FICO Score 4 of 720 on a 30‑year mortgage often sees rates 0.25‑0.30 percentage points below someone scoring 660.

Lenders group scores into tiers; crossing a tier boundary can shift loan terms dramatically. Mortgages typically reward scores 740 and above with the best rates, auto loans favor 700 plus, and credit‑card issuers often start offering premium rewards at 720. A 10‑point swing that pushes a score from 699 to 710 may move a car loan from a 5.9 % APR to a 5.4 % APR, illustrating how even modest changes in FICO Score 4 alter both cost and eligibility.

The TransUnion FICO Score 4 is built on five weighted pillars: Payment History (≈40%), Credit Utilization (≈30%), Length of Credit History (≈15%), New Credit (≈10%), and Credit Mix (≈5%) how FICO Score 4 weights factors.

Payment History records on‑time versus missed payments and drives the score most; Credit Utilization measures balances against limits, with ratios above 30% typically dragging the score down; Length of Credit History looks at the age of your oldest account and average account age, rewarding longer histories; New Credit counts recent inquiries and newly opened accounts, where several in a short span can hurt; Credit Mix reflects the variety of revolving and installment accounts, adding a modest boost when you have both types.

These five actions can lift your TransUnion FICO Score 4 within weeks. They focus on the factor weights explained in the 'what moves your FICO Score 4' section.

1. Reduce revolving balances below 30 % of each credit limit. Dropping a $2,000 balance on an $8,000 card from 25 % to 12 % utilization can add 10‑20 points.
2. Pay every bill on time; set automatic payments. One 30‑day late mark can erase 30‑40 points from your score.
3. Dispute inaccurate items on your TransUnion file. Use the step‑by‑step guide in the 'dispute TransUnion errors hurting your FICO Score 4' section (how to dispute TransUnion errors).
4. Keep old credit accounts open. Length of credit history accounts for up to 15 % of the score, so closing long‑standing cards can hurt you.
5. Add a responsible mix of credit types, such as a small credit‑builder loan, if you lack installment accounts. A balanced mix can modestly boost the score.

If a TransUnion error is dragging down your FICO Score 4, a timely dispute can restore the correct number.

• Pull your latest TransUnion credit report, look for inaccurate late‑payment dates, wrong balances, or duplicated accounts.
• Gather supporting documents such as bank statements, payment confirmations, or account closure letters.
• File the dispute through the TransUnion dispute portal, attaching scanned copies of each proof.
• Keep the dispute description concise, stating the exact element that is wrong and the correction you request.
• Monitor the 30‑day investigation window; TransUnion must report back with findings and an updated report.
• If the error remains, request a re‑investigation or contact the creditor directly for a corrected data feed.

A clean report lets your FICO Score 4 reflect the true 300‑850 range, preparing you for the real borrower examples that follow.

John, a first‑time homebuyer with a TransUnion FICO Score 4 of 720, saw his score slide to 690 after a $500 medical charge went to collections; the 30‑point drop added .25% to the mortgage rate the lender offered.

Maria, who had a thin file and a 650 FICO Score 4, added a single on‑time utility bill reported to TransUnion; her score jumped 40 points, allowing her to secure a 4.9% auto loan instead of the 6.5% she would have faced, thanks to utility payments can boost FICO Score 4.

Sam carried a 680 FICO Score 4 with 45% credit‑card utilization; after paying down balances to 15%, his score climbed 50 points, and the bank approved a new credit card with a $10,000 limit rather than the $3,000 he had been offered.

When TransUnion or Equifax reject a correct dispute, fail to respond within 30 days, or repeatedly publish inaccurate tradelines that keep the 100-point gap alive, you should escalate. Documentation that proves the error - payment records, police reports for identity theft, or a clear duplicate entry - gives you legal footing to involve a regulator or lawyer.

File a formal complaint with your state attorney general's consumer protection division or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB complaint portal), and retain a consumer‑rights attorney if the bureau continues to breach the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

If a lender uses only the TransUnion FICO Score 4, you can boost your appeal by turning to alternative data platforms. For example, Experian Boost lets you add utility, telecom, and streaming payments to your Experian file, raising your score overnight. UltraFICO produces a customized credit score that blends traditional metrics with alternative data such as rent, landlord references, and other payment histories, and lenders increasingly use it to assess risk. Rent‑reporting services - RentTrack, Cozy, and PayYourRent - log on‑time rent payments and feed them to major bureaus, making unsecured borrowers visible to lenders who prefer proof of consistent cash flow.

Additionally, Experian offers its own 'Experian Plus' score, while Equifax publishes the 'Equifax CreditScoreHub' that incorporates payment behavior beyond debt levels; both scores are available to lenders that look beyond the FICO standard. By feeding these alternative‑data streams into your credit profile, you give lenders a fuller, more favorable picture when FICO Score 4 alone would be insufficient.