Why Do Credit Bureaus Have Different Scores?

Because each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) maintains a separate file, the data they use to calculate your score never line up perfectly. Even when all three apply the same FICO score or VantageScore, differences in reported accounts, inquiry dates, and error corrections create distinct numbers.

For example, a late‑payment that a creditor pushes to Experian may never reach Equifax, while a collection removed from TransUnion last week still sits on the other two reports. Add the fact that each bureau updates its database on its own schedule, and the same snapshot of your credit can generate three different scores. We'll explore how the scoring models themselves add another layer of divergence in the next section.

• The three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) each receive data directly from lenders, but not every creditor sends reports to all three, so each file can contain a unique mix of accounts.
• Public‑record feeds - bankruptcies, tax liens, judgments - are supplied by courts and county clerks, and each bureau's subscription to these sources can differ, causing gaps or extra items in one file.
• Collection agencies and debt‑sale owners often report to only one bureau, so a charged‑off that appears on Experian may be missing from TransUnion.
• Alternative‑data providers (rent‑payment platforms, utility‑bill aggregators) partner with a single bureau, adding positive history to that bureau alone.
• Timing of data uploads varies; a creditor may upload a payment update to Equifax today, to Experian tomorrow, and to TransUnion the next week, creating temporary score differences.
• Because FICO scores and VantageScore pull from the bureau you query, any data variation directly translates into different score outputs.

FICO scores from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion differ because each bureau's file contains slightly different data. For instance, one bureau may report a late credit card payment that another omitted, and the scoring model pulls whatever it sees. As a result, the same borrower can have a 720 on one file and a 705 on another.

Even with identical data at a single bureau, FICO and VantageScore can output different numbers. FICO weighs payment history more heavily, while VantageScore places greater emphasis on credit age and utilization. That means a borrower could score 740 with FICO and 730 with VantageScore using the same credit information. Official FICO scoring guide

Each bureau refreshes its file on its own schedule, so the same activity can appear at different times on your three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) reports.

1. Creditors batch their uploads. Most send nightly feeds, some send weekly. After a creditor reports, the bureau posts the update within 24 - 48 hours. One bureau may show a new credit‑card balance while another still reflects the old balance.
2. Dispute resolutions and fraud‑alert updates follow separate cycles. A resolved dispute can appear on Experian the next day but take up to a week on TransUnion.
3. FICO scores use a 30‑day look‑back window; VantageScore uses a 14‑day window. If a bureau updates after the window closes, the change won't affect that score until the next cycle.
4. Seasonal spikes (for example, holiday shopping) cause some lenders to delay uploads, creating temporary gaps between bureaus.
5. When you pull your scores, the most recent file may belong to one bureau. Waiting 24 - 72 hours allows the other bureaus to catch up, often reducing score divergence.

• A payment posts to Equifax before Experian and TransUnion, so the FICO score that uses the most recent data spikes while the others lag (see 'timing matters when each bureau updates your file').
• A new auto loan is reported only to Experian and TransUnion; the missing entry keeps your VantageScore at that bureau higher than the two that show the debt.
• Experian applies the latest VantageScore 4.0, while Equifax and TransUnion still calculate a classic FICO 8; differing weight on credit utilization creates a noticeable gap.
• A hard inquiry from a mortgage application appears on Equifax and Experian but is omitted from TransUnion due to a reporting glitch, leaving its FICO score slightly better.
• A collection account is added to Equifax after the debt is sold, yet Experian and TransUnion never receive the update, so their scores stay unchanged while Equifax drops.

Lenders pick the bureau score that aligns with their underwriting model and the specific loan product. As explained earlier, the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) often report different numbers because they collect data at different times and use varying scoring models such as FICO scores and VantageScore.

• Loan type - Mortgages usually require the median of the three major bureau scores (per Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac rules); auto loans often default to the lowest score to protect against higher default risk; credit‑card issuers may choose the highest score to broaden approvals.
• Scoring model - Some lenders are mandated to use a particular FICO version (e.g., FICO 8 for conventional mortgages) while others accept VantageScore 4.0 for fintech products.
• Bureau contracts - Lenders pay for access to one, two, or all three bureaus; the bureau(s) they have agreements with become the source of the score.
• Risk appetite - Conservative lenders favor the lowest reported score; aggressive lenders may average scores or even use the highest to qualify more borrowers.
• Regulatory guidelines - Government‑backed programs often prescribe a specific scoring method, forcing lenders to follow those rules.

Consequently, the score you encounter on a loan offer reflects the lender's product requirements, chosen scoring model, and bureau relationships, not a single universal credit number.

Industry scores are lender‑specific versions of FICO scores or VantageScore that the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) calculate with a narrow focus, such as an auto‑loan score, mortgage score, or credit‑card score. They pull the same underlying data you see on a consumer‑grade report, but they weight recent payment behavior, debt ratios, or loan‑type history differently to predict risk for that particular product.

Because the weighting and data window change, an industry score can be noticeably higher or lower than the general FICO or VantageScore you monitor on credit‑monitoring sites. Lenders use the product‑specific score when you apply for a loan, while you see the generic score in earlier sections about scoring models. To understand why a lender's decision differs, you'll later learn how to check and dispute each bureau's report for yourself.

Pull the free annual report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and dispute any inaccuracies yourself, because errors are a leading cause of divergent FICO scores and VantageScore numbers.

• Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to request all three reports at once (one free claim per bureau every 12 months).
• Scan each report for misspelled names, wrong balances, duplicate accounts, or outdated closed‑account statuses.
• Record every discrepancy, noting which bureau's file contains the error.
• Log into the bureau's online dispute portal (or mail a certified‑letter dispute) and attach supporting documents such as bank statements or credit‑card letters.
• Cite the specific inaccuracy and request correction; the bureau must investigate within 30 days.
• Monitor the investigation result in your online account; if the error persists, reopen the dispute with additional proof.
• After a correction, check your updated FICO scores and VantageScore to see if the gap narrows; repeat the process for any remaining mismatches.
• Keep a folder of all dispute confirmations; they're useful if lenders later question a score change.
• Review your reports again after six months, because some lenders report data on different cycles, which can create new divergences.
• If a bureau continually fails to correct a valid error, consider filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Fix the factor that drags your lowest score down, and you'll see a quick jump.

1. Pull the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) reports, locate the lowest FICO or VantageScore, and note the specific negative item - late payment, high utilization, or an error. Dispute any inaccuracies immediately.
2. Reduce revolving‑credit utilization on the bureau that shows the highest ratio, usually Equifax. Pay balances down to under 30 % of each limit, then request a balance‑transfer or a lower credit limit for faster impact.
3. Bring any past‑due accounts current on the bureau where the delinquency appears. Set up automatic payments to prevent future late marks.
4. Add a small secured card or become an authorized user on a high‑limit account, then let the new positive activity flow to the lagging bureau (TransUnion often updates authorized‑user data slower).
5. After clearing a major derogatory (e.g., charge‑off), ask your lender for a rapid rescore. The lender can submit a refreshed file to all three bureaus, delivering an immediate bump.
6. If a hard inquiry is hurting the score, contact the creditor and request removal if the application was denied or the inquiry was unauthorized.
7. Keep personal information (address, employer) identical across all three bureaus; mismatches can cause temporary dips that mask your progress.

Timing matters: most bureaus refresh monthly, so schedule these actions at the beginning of a cycle to see results faster. Monitor the changes with a free weekly credit‑monitoring tool to confirm the lowest score is climbing.

Medical debt disputes follow the same 30‑day investigation period as any other credit dispute, but you can also invoke the credit bureaus' medical‑debt exclusion rule.

Pull your free credit report, find the medical entry, and check its age. If the balance is more than 180 days old after your insurer's final payment, you can request removal from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. For newer entries, attach the insurer's Explanation of Benefits, a paid‑in‑full receipt, or a denial letter to prove the charge is inaccurate; see the FTC medical debt exclusion rule for details.

File the dispute online or by certified mail, include the supporting documents, and the bureaus must complete their investigation within 30 days. They will notify you of the outcome, and if the entry remains, you can fire back an appeal as explained in the upcoming 'Denied? Fire back an appeal' section.

State statutes and credit freezes can cause the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to show different information on your file.

California law (SB 1211) wipes out medical collection accounts under $1,000 once they are 180 days past the service date, so Equifax may remove the entry while Experian, which lags in adopting the rule, still lists it (California medical collection removal law).

Vermont does not erase civil judgments after five years; they remain for up to ten years, meaning TransUnion could retain a judgment that Experian has already aged out, creating another discrepancy.

A credit freeze blocks most consumer‑initiated pulls but does not stop creditors from reporting new activity; all three bureaus receive the update regardless of the freeze, so the freeze itself does not generate divergent scores, though a lender's denied inquiry might affect which score they can view.