Are the credit scores on Creditkeeper.com accurate? I'm using them to monitor my credit reports and scores, I just don't know if it is giving me my actual scores or some kind of estimate? Thanks in advance for any help.
They're what we like to call "FAKO" scores. They're estimates, but not your actual FICO scores. The only place you can get you true FICO scores these days is from myFICO.com.
That stinks, it's only $10 a month and I get to see all three credit reports and all three fako scores, lol. How much does myfico.com charge? I'll have to check it out, do you get all three scores? Thanks for your time by the way!
Unfortunately, consumers no longer have access to their Experian-based FICO scores. Lenders do, but you don't. You can, however, get access to your Equifax-based FICO score if you sign up for their free trial at myFICO and then cancel it before trail period ends. Otherwise, I think it's $19.95 each for your Equifax and TU-based FICO scores.
It is really very unfortunate that consumers can no longer have access to the Experian-based FICO scores. $19.95 each is expensive if I want to get a copy of my credit report. However, I know that it is best to check your credit score before applying for a credit card in order to ensure an approval based on credit score. Thanks for the info.
Thanks for the info guys, it's so crazy how this whole system works huh? This information should all be available to us for free, and anybody else who accesses it should be the ones to pay. No wonder so many people mess up their credit, you need a degree to really understand it all, lol. I'm going to keep the creditkeeper account because it's a pretty good deal for all 3 credit reports and all three fako scores every month. At least I'll have some idea of how it's improving. One last question, I know when you do the once a year free credit report from annualcreditreport.com, you can pay like $8 I think to get your credit score from each bureau, are these true credit scores? Thanks again.
Remember, you can get your "credit reports" for free at annualcreditreport.com. You're allowed one free credit report from each CRA each year. Fico credit scores, however, aren't free. And yes, I agree that it's quite unfortunate lenders have access to a score that we no longer do. Fair Isaac and Experian just couldn't figure out how to play nicely together in the sandbox anymore. Consumers are once again the ones that get shafted.
No, they'll try to sell you one of their own credit scores, which are more "FAKOs". While they may give you a general idea of whether you're moving in the right direction or not, they're not FICO scores. The credit system is a bit crazy, but really it's not that hard to figure out. All it takes is a little research, asking questions here like you are, and you'll be an expert soon enough.
Thanks Josh for the info, it's taken me some time, but I'm getting the hang of all this credit info. Credit keeper is a great value, I'm able to see all 3 credit reports each month and am alerted to any changes, so it's been great. When I get a little further down the road, I will do the myfico and get my real score to see where I'm really at.
