February 22, 2008, Newsletter Issue #101: FICO and Your Finances

Tip of the Week

There are three credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Each credit bureau maintains a unique credit report on each individual. Your credit scores are calculated based on the information on your report, so it's possible to have three very different credit scores.



The credit bureaus report these scores to lenders who may be considering granting credit to an individual. While lenders don't rely solely on credit scores to determine creditworthiness, the credit scores do have a significant impact on whether a person is approved for credit, how much credit the individual qualifies for, and what the interest rate will be on that credit. It is important to note that credit scores are not etched in granite. They can change for better or for worse, depending on an individual's payment history, amount of debt, and other factors. It's best to know your credit score before applying for any credit. If you have been denied credit based on information a lender obtained from a credit bureau, you are entitled to a free credit report. You will be notified in writing by the lender of which credit bureau was used so you can then request your free credit report. Read it carefully. It's possible there is incorrect information that resulted in your credit application denial.

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