Why Is My Experian Score 100 Points Lower Than TransUnion?

Experian can be 100 points lower than TransUnion when the data each credit bureau receives, weights, or timing differ, because the two agencies use separate scoring models that interpret the same information in distinct ways.

Typical culprits include a collection that Experian reports but TransUnion does not, a late‑payment that appears on the Experian file but is still pending on the TransUnion file, a tradeline listed as 'open' to one bureau and 'closed' to the other, or a mixed‑file error that adds another consumer's activity to your Experian report; any of these can swing a FICO score (300‑850) by a full century.

For deeper detail on model differences see Understanding how Experian calculates scores.

Experian and TransUnion do not always show the same items because each bureau receives a slightly different data set from lenders.

Experian pulls account details from major banks, auto lenders, and mortgage servicers; it records the account type, open date, credit limit, current balance, and payment status. It also logs collections, charge‑offs, and public records that creditors file with Experian, but many small‑scale utilities and peer‑to‑peer lenders report only to TransUnion. Experian updates most tradelines once a month, usually after the creditor's statement closing date.

TransUnion receives the same core data from big lenders, plus a broader mix of alternative sources such as rent‑payment platforms, telecom providers, and some credit‑builder programs. It captures the same fields - open date, limit, balance, payment history - but often adds more recent balance snapshots because many creditors push updates to TransUnion after each payment cycle. Public records and collections that a creditor files only with TransUnion will appear there and not on Experian, creating visible gaps between scores.

Experian score and TransUnion score can differ because each bureau may apply a different scoring model and version. Experian frequently uses FICO 8 (or its proprietary Experian Boost adjustments), while TransUnion often reports FICO 9 or VantageScore 4.0. Each version weights payment history, credit utilization, and newer accounts slightly differently, so a 100‑point gap is possible even when the underlying report data look similar.

Remember that FICO scores range from 300‑850, and most lenders recalculate them monthly as creditors send updates.

Find the model behind each score by looking at the score‑provider statement or the credit‑report header; it is usually listed as 'FICO 8,' 'FICO 9,' or 'VantageScore 4.0.' Once you know which version each bureau uses, you can compare apples‑to‑apples or request the same model from a lender to see a more consistent number. Understanding the model version sets up the next step - spotting timing gaps in creditor reporting that often amplify the differences you just identified.

Timing gaps show up when a creditor sends a balance update to Experian later (or earlier) than to TransUnion, so the two reports display different utilization at the same moment, which can shift your Experian score by dozens of points. Compare the 'last reported' dates on each bureau's file, flag any creditor that appears on one report but not the other, and watch for balances that stay static for weeks on Experian while they've already been reduced on TransUnion.

These mismatches are usually harmless once the next reporting cycle arrives, but they explain sudden drops until the data syncs.

• Pull your Experian and TransUnion reports side by side; note the 'date of last activity' for every open tradeline.
• Identify tradelines where the date differs by more than 30 days; those are likely timing gaps.
• Look for balances that are higher on Experian; calculate utilization (balance ÷ credit limit) for each bureau to see the impact.
• Contact the creditor and ask them to confirm their reporting schedule; some report monthly, others quarterly.
• If a gap persists beyond two cycles, dispute the stale entry with Experian, referencing the up‑to‑date TransUnion figure as evidence.
• Monitor the next 60‑day window; the gap should close and your Experian score should rebound, setting the stage for the next section on spotting derogatory items that appear only on Experian.

Only the Experian report shows the derogatory entries that are pulling your score down; get a free Experian credit report and compare it side‑by‑side with your TransUnion file.

• Late payment (30 + days) reported by a creditor that hasn't been sent to TransUnion.
• Charge‑off or collection listed under a different account number on Experian but absent from TransUnion.
• Tax lien or civil judgment appearing only in Experian's public‑record feed.
• 'Account in dispute' flag that Experian shows while TransUnion marks the account closed.
• Mixed‑file or identity‑theft entry that surfaces solely on Experian, often labeled as possible fraud.

Authorized user and tradeline mismatches across your Experian and TransUnion reports often drive score gaps.

When a creditor sends data to only one bureau, the missing account can lower the Experian score while the TransUnion score stays higher. The same occurs if an authorized‑user (AU) relationship appears on one file but not the other; Exper5‑year payment history, credit utilization and age of accounts will differ, sometimes by enough points to create a 100‑point swing.

What to compare

• AU presence - verify that each AU account listed on Experian also appears on TransUnion; note any that are absent.
• Account numbers - ensure the same credit card or loan ID is reported on both files; a typo can create a phantom tradeline.
• Balance and limit - check that the reported balance and credit limit match; a higher utilization on Experian can drag the score down.
• Status tags - look for 'closed,' 'charged‑off,' or 'in‑payment‑plan' labels that exist on one bureau but not the other.

Spotting these discrepancies lets you request a correction, add missing AUs, or ask the creditor to report uniformly. Once the files align, the Experian score usually climbs closer to the TransUnion score, clearing the way for the next step: looking for mixed files or identity mix‑ups that may still be affecting your Experian score.

Mixed files or misidentified accounts are often the hidden reason your Experian score trails TransUnion by 100 points.

Look for these warning signs on your Experian report:

• Accounts that belong to a spouse, parent, or sibling but appear under your name.
• Duplicate entries for the same loan or credit card, each showing a different balance.
• Social‑Security‑Number variations (typos, missing digits) that split your history into two separate files.
• Public‑record items (bankruptcies, tax liens) that match another consumer's personal data.

These mix‑ups can lower your Experian score because the bureau may count extra debts or missed payments that never happened to you.

If you spot any, file a dispute with Experian and request a 'merge' of the duplicate files; see the 'step‑by‑step actions you can take to raise Experian fast' section for the exact workflow. The next section shows five real scenarios where such errors created 100‑point gaps.

A 100‑point gap between Experian and TransUnion usually stems from a handful of concrete reporting quirks.

• A creditor sends a late‑payment update to Experian but not to TransUnion, so the Experian score registers a delinquency while the TransUnion score does not.
• Experian receives a higher revolving‑balance snapshot because the creditor's reporting cycle falls later in the month; the lower balance on TransUnion keeps its utilization score healthier.
• A tax lien or collection appears only on the Experian file, often due to a clerical error; that single derogatory item can shave roughly 100 points from the Experian score.
• An authorized‑user tradeline is listed on TransUnion but missing from Experian, giving the TransUnion score a boost from the extra positive history.
• Experian mixes two consumers with similar personal data, attaching an unrelated debt to your file; the inflated debt load drags the Experian score down dramatically.

Fix errors, lower balances, and add fresh positive tradelines to raise your Experian score fast.

1. Pull your free Experian report, verify every entry, and file disputes for any inaccuracies; corrections can improve your score within one to two reporting cycles.
2. Reduce revolving‑credit utilization to below 30 % (ideally under 10 %); pay down balances before the next statement date so the lower figure reports.
3. Contact lenders and request that recent on‑time payments be reported to Experian if they are only on your TransUnion file.
4. Open a secured credit‑card or a credit‑builder loan, use it responsibly, and let the positive activity flow to Experian.
5. Become an authorized user on a family member's account that has a long, clean history; the tradeline will appear on your Experian report.
6. Confirm that all account opening dates, credit limits, and payment histories are correct; older positive accounts weighted heavily can lift your score.
7. Set up monthly monitoring of your Experian score; address any new discrepancies promptly to keep momentum.

Hire a credit expert or contemplate legal action when you've disputed the erroneous items, the credit bureaus still show a 100‑point gap, and the inaccuracy blocks a loan, mortgage, or rental approval.

Bring in a specialist if the mistakes involve mixed files, identity theft, or multiple derogatory entries that appear only on Experian, because a forensic review can untangle reporting errors faster than DIY disputes.

Consider a lawsuit when a creditor or bureau repeatedly refuses to correct verified errors, you've documented loss (like a denied loan), and you need to enforce your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act; consult a consumer‑law attorney for a potential FDCPA or FCRA claim Fair Credit Reporting Act enforcement.