Why Is My TransUnion Score Lower or Higher Than Equifax?

Both bureaus list the exact scoring model that produced the number, so you can see whether TransUnion used a VantageScore 4.0, FICO 8, or another version while Equifax may have used a different model.

1. Get the full reports - Order your TransUnion and Equifax reports from AnnualCreditReport.com or directly from each bureau. The score section appears on the first page of each report.
2. Find the model label - Right beside the numeric score you'll see a line such as 'VantageScore 4.0' or 'FICO® Score 8'. If the label is missing, the report still contains the model version hint in the small print beneath the score.
3. Infer from date and range - When the label is absent, match the score's range and the report's date to known model roll‑outs: scores 300‑850 issued before 2020 usually come from FICO 8; scores 501‑990 after 2020 are typically VantageScore 4.0.
4. Check lender disclosures - Any loan offer must state the model used. Review the 'Terms and Conditions' or the loan estimate you received; it will read 'Your score is based on the FICO® Score 9 model' or similar.
5. Record side by side - Write the model next to each bureau's score (e.g., TransUnion  -  VantageScore 4.0; Equifax  -  FICO 8). This snapshot lets you move directly to the next step - checking for reporting lag - without guessing why the numbers differ.

(For a quick overview of model differences, see FICO vs. VantageScore.)

Reporting lag, the time difference when a creditor sends data to TransUnion versus Equifax, can make the same tradeline appear newer on one report and older on the other, typically 30 to 45 days, and that can cause the scores to diverge. Recognizing lag prevents you from chasing phantom errors that will resolve on their own.

Match each account number on both credit reports and compare the 'date reported' fields; if the Equifax entry is about a month ahead of the TransUnion entry, wait 30‑45 days for the slower bureau to update before disputing. After confirming no lag, proceed to find lenders that reported only to one bureau. understand credit reporting lag

Lenders that report to only one bureau create gaps that can make your TransUnion score differ from your Equifax score. Identify those lenders by cross‑checking each tradeline on both reports.

• Pull your latest TransUnion and Equifax reports; mark any account that appears on one report but not the other.
• Recognize typical single‑bureau reporters such as regional credit unions, small auto‑finance companies, certain utility providers, and some medical or specialty debt collectors.
• Call the creditor's customer service, ask which bureaus they report to, and request inclusion of the missing bureau if possible.
• Use a credit‑monitoring service that flags 'only reported to one bureau' entries; these tools often list the reporting source next to the tradeline.
• Review your loan or service agreements; many contain a clause stating the specific bureau(s) used for reporting, giving you proof for a dispute.

Look at the inquiry line on each credit report and note every lender, date, and type; TransUnion often shows a query a few days earlier because some creditors push data within 30 days while Equifax may lag up to 45 days. An inquiry that appears on only one bureau usually means the creditor reported to a single bureau or the transmission failed for the other.

Count the total hard inquiries on both reports, then compare the dates; if the same lender appears twice within a 45‑day window, both scoring models treat it as one inquiry, but the extra line can still lower the visible score on the bureau that recorded it. Remove any unauthorized or duplicate entries by disputing them, then move on to spotting account‑status differences such as collections or charge‑offs. For a quick primer on hard inquiries, see the what a hard inquiry means guide.

Collections or charge‑offs that show up on one bureau but not the other directly cause a TransUnion‑Equifax score gap because they change the account's status and weight in the scoring model.

• Open both credit reports side‑by‑side, highlight any tradeline labeled 'Collection' or 'Charge‑off' that appears only on TransUnion or only on Equifax.
• Confirm the reporting date; a new collection can be 30‑45 days older on one bureau due to typical reporting lag.
• Compare the balance and status code; a charge‑off marked 'Paid' on one report but 'Unpaid' on the other will affect the score differently.
• Look for duplicate entries where the same creditor reports the same collection to both bureaus but with different amounts or dates; the higher balance usually drags the score more.
• Note any medical collections, which stay for up to 7 years but may be removed after 180 days of non‑payment, and each bureau may follow its own removal timeline.

Authorized‑user and tradeline mismatches are a common reason why TransUnion and Equifax scores diverge.

• Pull the latest reports from both bureaus side by side.
• Locate every credit card, loan, and retail account on each report; note which are listed as primary versus authorized user.
• Verify that the same authorized‑user status appears on both reports; an account flagged as 'authorized user' on TransUnion but missing on Equifax can add or subtract points.
• Check for 'closed‑by‑consumer' or 'closed‑by‑lender' designations that differ between reports; a tradeline marked closed on one bureau but open on the other may affect length‑of‑credit calculations.
• Look for duplicate tradelines - sometimes a creditor reports the same account to both bureaus under slightly different numbers, creating two entries that skew utilization ratios.
• Review any newly added authorized‑user accounts; they may appear on one bureau within the typical 30‑45‑day reporting lag discussed earlier,

Fixing mismatches usually means contacting the creditor to confirm the correct reporting status and disputing the inaccurate entry with the bureau that shows the error. Once the authorized‑user and tradeline data align, the score gap often narrows, paving the way to explore the medical and specialty debt reporting differences in the next section.

Medical and specialty debt are reported to TransUnion and Equifax under different rules, which can shift your scores. Both bureaus receive the same original collection file, but TransUnion often applies a 180‑day waiting period before treating the debt as a credit‑impacting item, while Equifax may add it sooner and count it in the scoring model. Specialty charges such as dental, vision or rehab can be classified as medical in one bureau and as a consumer collection in the other, changing how the balance influences the credit score.

For example, a $2,000 hospital bill that entered Equifax as a collection after 30 days will lower an Equifax score immediately, but TransUnion will hold the entry for 180 days and may exclude it from the score until the waiting period ends. A $500 orthodontic expense reported as a medical collection to Equifax could appear as a regular collection on TransUnion, causing a larger hit on the TransUnion score. These timing and classification gaps explain why the same debt can make one bureau's score higher or lower than the other. medical debt and credit scores

Identity errors or merged files often cause the TransUnion score to differ from the Equifax score because the bureaus may attribute the same tradeline to the wrong consumer.

To spot them, pull both credit reports and compare name spellings, Social Security numbers, and birth dates; look for duplicate credit cards, loans, or collections that appear under slightly different personal data. A tradeline that exists on one report but is listed under a different SSN on the other signals a mixed file, echoing the reporting‑lag check we discussed earlier.

When you find a mismatch, file a dispute with the bureau that shows the error, attach proof of correct personal information, and request a file separation; monitor subsequent reports to confirm the correction before moving on to the dispute and fix inaccuracies section. For detailed guidance, see the CFPB guide to identity errors.

TransUnionTransUnion and Equifax score gaps matter when a lender's scoring model pulls the lower number to set your APR. If the difference pushes your credit score below a rate‑tier cutoff - often 20‑30 points for mortgages, 10‑15 points for auto loans, or even 5‑10 points for credit‑card offers - you'll see a higher rate or be denied. Gaps caused by a missing hard inquiry, an unchecked authorized user tradeline, or a lone collection can instantly shift you into a less‑favorable bracket.

Temporary gaps from reporting lag (usually 30‑45 days) usually disappear before underwriting, so waiting that long can prevent a rate penalty. If the disparity remains after about 60 days, it likely reflects a genuine data difference and will affect the loan terms you receive. At that point, correcting the underlying tradelines, charge‑offs, medical debt, or identity errors becomes essential before you lock in a rate.

File separate disputes with TransUnion and Equifax for every inaccuracy you spot, then verify that each bureau updates its record.

1. Pull the newest credit reports from TransUnion and Equifax. Mark every mismatched balance, account status, hard inquiry, or medical debt entry.
2. Collect proof: recent statements, payoff confirmations, identity documents, or letters from the creditor.
3. Submit a dispute to the bureau where the error appears. Use the online portal or certified mail, describe the item precisely, and attach the supporting documents.
4. Note the dispute reference number; the bureau must investigate within 30 days and finish the review within 45 days.
5. If the bureau corrects the item, obtain the revised report and confirm that the credit score moves closer to the other bureau's figure.
6. If the bureau denies the dispute, add a brief statement of disagreement to the file and consider escalating to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or filing a complaint with the FTC's dispute‑resolution guide.
7. Repeat steps 1‑6 for the other bureau; many lenders report only to one agency, so fixing both files eliminates the source of score gaps.
8. After all corrections, download both reports again. Ensure hard inquiries, collections, charge‑offs, medical debt, and authorized‑user entries now match across TransUnion and Equifax.

Proceed to understand when any remaining score gaps will affect your loan rates.