Why a 100-Point TransUnion Equifax Difference?

TransUnion and Equifax use distinct scoring models that weigh identical credit data differently, which explains the 100‑point gap you're seeing.

TransUnion's model leans heavily on recent activity, giving extra weight to payment trends, current utilization, and real‑time signals from its CreditVision engine; a fresh payoff or a consistent on‑time payment can lift the score quickly.

Equifax's model emphasizes credit age and historic behavior, applying stronger penalties for older derogatories and counting public‑record items more aggressively; the same recent payoff may have little impact while a two‑year‑old late payment still drags the score down.

Identify timing gaps by comparing the most recent reporting dates on your TransUnion and Equifax files and looking for payments that have cleared but haven't yet appeared on one of the reports. Recent installments often sit in a 'pending' window; if the score models use a 30‑day cut‑off, a payment posted after that date can create a 100‑point gap before the next update rolls through.

Compare the TransUnion and Equifax reports side‑by‑side; the accounts that differ are the ones driving your 100‑point gap.

1. Download both reports from the official free credit reports and open them in two adjacent windows or a spreadsheet.
2. Highlight any account that appears in one bureau but not the other - these missing or exclusive tradelines often explain large score swings.
3. For shared accounts, line up the balance, credit limit, and payment status columns; note any numeric mismatches because, as we covered in the model‑difference section, TransUnion penalizes higher utilization more heavily.
4. Mark any payment‑history discrepancies such as a 'current' tag on TransUnion versus a '30‑day late' on Equifax; late‑payment flags drop scores dramatically.
5. Record differences in account age or recent openings; newer accounts receive different weight in each score model and can shift the gap.
6. Prioritize the accounts with the biggest variance in balance‑to‑limit ratios or the most recent late‑payment entries - these are the primary levers you'll adjust in the next section on missed or duplicate tradelines.

• Look at each bureau's file side‑by‑side; any account appearing on one report but not the other is a missed tradeline, any account listed twice with the same creditor and balance is a duplicate.
• Export the TransUnion and Equifax tables to a spreadsheet, sort by creditor name, then flag rows where the account number or loan ID differ only by a trailing digit - those are likely duplicates.
• Check the reporting dates; a missed tradeline often shows a 'no activity reported' status in the last 30 days on one bureau while the other shows a recent payment.
• Validate balances and credit limits; mismatched numbers for the same account usually signal an entry error that can swing the score models.
• Document every discrepancy before moving to the dispute steps; this list will feed directly into the 'Fix errors fast with dispute steps for each bureau' section.

Detect identity theft or mixed files behind the gap by cross‑checking every line on your TransUnion and Equifax reports. Look for tradelines you never opened, recent hard inquiries you didn't request, or personal details (address, date of birth) that differ between the two bureaus; these anomalies often trigger a 100-point gap in score models.

A 100‑point gap appears only when one bureau records a major credit event that the other does not.

Typical variations - different utilization ratios or a payment that lands a day later - move scores by 10‑30 points or just a few points, never a full hundred. The real gap‑makers are extreme, bureau‑specific entries.

• Severe negative tradeline on one bureau only - A collection, charge‑off, or bankruptcy reported to TransUnion but missing from Equifax can drag that score down 100 points or more. The opposite can happen if Equifax alone flags the item. Collections and credit scores explained
• Mixed file or identity‑theft imprint - One bureau merges another person's accounts with yours, creating dozens of delinquent lines that the other bureau never sees. That polluted file can create a dramatic 100‑point difference. Identity theft and credit reporting
• Missing or duplicate positive tradeline - A long‑standing credit‑card line appears on Equifax but is absent from TransUnion, or is duplicated on TransUnion, altering average age and credit mix enough to generate a 100‑point swing when overall credit history is thin. Understanding tradelines

These three scenarios explain why the gap can reach 100 points, and they set the stage for the next step: pinpoint the exact accounts driving the disparity.

Lenders treat a 100-point gap as a red flag that the borrower's credit picture is inconsistent, so they often base decisions on the lower of the two scores. If TransUnion shows 720 and Equifax 620, the lender will likely use the 620 figure to calculate rates, qualifying thresholds, and risk premiums.

Because score models weigh factors like payment history and credit utilization differently, lenders assume the gap signals recent missteps, hidden collections, or a mixed file. They may tighten underwriting standards, request a higher down payment, or raise the interest rate to offset perceived risk.

The next step is to resolve the disparity; as we'll cover in 'fix errors fast with dispute steps for each bureau,' clearing errors or updating missing tradelines can shrink the gap and improve the lender's view, leading to more favorable loan terms.

Dispute any inaccurate tradeline, and the 100-point gap can shrink within weeks.

1. Pull your latest TransUnion and Equifax reports, highlight the exact entry that drags the score, and save supporting documents (payment receipts, account statements, or cancellation letters).
2. Open a dispute with TransUnion using its online portal TransUnion consumer dispute page, upload the evidence, and select 'delete' or 'correct' as appropriate.
3. Open a dispute with Equifax via its online portal Equifax credit dispute center, attach the same proof, and indicate the required change.
4. If either bureau returns 'insufficient information,' mail a certified‑letter dispute to the bureau's address, include copies of the documents, and request a 30‑day investigation deadline.
5. Track each investigation through the online dashboard or follow‑up calls; once approved, download the updated reports and verify that the offending tradeline no longer appears and that the score models reflect the correction.

Set up continuous credit monitoring and schedule regular report reviews so new gaps never catch you off guard.

• Enroll in a free or paid TransUnion credit‑monitoring service and the equivalent Equifax alert; both send real‑time notifications when a tradeline is added, removed, or changes status.
• Pull your full TransUnion and Equifax reports at least every 90 days; compare key sections (account history, public records, inquiries) to spot mismatches before they affect your score models.
• Enable alerts for 'new account opened' and 'address change' to catch identity‑theft or mixed‑file issues the moment they appear.
• Keep personal data up to date with each bureau's online portal; correct misspelled names, wrong dates of birth, or outdated addresses to prevent duplicate files.
• Use a credit‑lock when you're not actively applying for credit; it blocks unauthorized hard pulls that could trigger timing gaps.

Maintain this rhythm and the 100‑point gap that once surprised you will stay a thing of the past.

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.