3-bureau credit report and FICO^® Scores^*

Credit bureaus, also known as credit reporting agencies or consumer reporting companies, play an integral part in the financial lives of millions of people. The big three—Experian, TransUnion and Equifax—collect and organize data to create consumer credit reports. The bureaus don't make lending decisions or determine your credit scores.

Information reported to each of the 3 bureaus can be different and the individual creditors providing data may also be different, meaning one creditor may only report to one or only two of the three bureaus. Lenders, such as mortgage companies are not required by law to report account information to each of the 3 bureaus. Checking each of your 3 Credit Reports gives you a comprehensive view so that you can easily identify differences that could impact your credit standing.

You can have a credit score with one of the credit bureaus and not with the other two because your lenders may only report to one bureau. They may not have enough information in your credit file to create a credit score, and lenders are not required by law to report your credit activity.

The primary reason your scores probably won’t be exactly the same is that your credit reports are unlikely to be identical. If you have different credit reports, you’ll have different credit scores. Another reason, which applies only to FICO^® Scores☉ , is that the scoring models are different across the three credit reporting agencies. So, even if you did have identical credit reports across the three credit bureaus, your FICO^® Scores would still be different. This does not apply to VantageScore’s credit scoring models, as they are identical across the three credit bureaus.

Your scores, however, should be directionally similar, meaning if you have great credit reports, you will have great credit scores regardless of which credit report or credit score brand a lender chooses to use.

The national credit bureaus—Experian, TransUnion and Equifax—each have their own processes and procedures, so the best way to contact them can differ. All offer multiple ways to access your credit information, tools for protecting your credit reports from fraud and identity theft, and methods to address inaccuracies in your report if you find any. Learn more on how to contact each bureau.