Your credit report may show a marked difference in your score. This is not necessarily a sign of financial distress or bad behavior. There are a few possible reasons that your score might be higher than it should. In most cases, the differences are caused by errors and/or differences in reporting. You can fix any errors by working directly with the creditor or the credit bureau.
There are a variety of different scoring models used by different credit reporting agencies. Each model weights information differently. The most common scoring model is FICO. Other models include VantageScore, which uses more data to calculate a score.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently found that creditors can give consumers significantly different scores. This is due to some companies not reporting to all three main credit reporting authorities (CRAs) in the country at the same time. It's because CRAs use a variety of scoring models and rely heavily on different types financial data.
A Dodd-Frank Act-related study led to a series of studies by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that examined the various differences in credit scores, and other similar functions. While they were not specifically designed to determine whether or not credit rating agencies are purposely trying to fool consumers with their scoring systems, the results were pretty revealing.
FICO is the most basic credit scoring system. This is the score you will likely see in most credit reports. This score usually reflects your credit history, usage and other information that helps lenders make a decision about whether you are a good or poor risk. Creditors regard the score as a measure for your risk of not being able to pay off your debt. It will vary from one bureau.
VantageScore, a scoring model similar to the one used by VantageScore, focuses more upon how you have made your loans and credit cards over time. This scoring model considers a number of factors, such as the length of credit history, payments made recently, and the type of debt you have.
There are some interesting differences between urban and rural consumers in credit scores. The average credit score in both the urban and rural groups is quite different. The local economy and the population may influence these scores. Urban areas tend be more financially secure and residents in metropolitan areas have better credit habits.
You can improve your score by making sure that you report consistently. Contact your creditor immediately if you are not able to get your credit limit reported to all three credit bureaus. Although they should be able fix the problem, it may take some time.
There are many other factors that could affect your score. Check your credit reports for errors.