Credit check time again, and I've been had!

[kork13]

So as is so often recommended, today I hit 4 months since I last checked my credit report, so this time it was Experian's turn. Jolly, hooray, glee. Took about five minutes to pull up my report--all good there. So I go on to check my credit score (mostly just out of curiosity, and I figure I can spare a few bucks for that). So I put in my credit card info, click through a couple pages, and up comes my score report. "Your score is 838."

Now, the last time I checked (remember--4 months ago), my FICO score was 720-and-change... So my jaw (literally) dropped when I saw 838--something's screwy here. I mean, FICO scores only go from 300-850, and my credit history is far too short (~6 yrs) to have that high of a score. ....Then I notice that they're calling this their "VantageScore", and that it's based on a 501-990 point scale, and that it's also relative to me vs. everyone else in the world (not a definite, scaled equation--albeit complicated--as is the FICO score).

So I say to myself, "Self, that's very strange... I figured that paying for my credit score directly from one of the 3 credit bureaus, I would actually get my FICO score, not some FAKO." To which I received the reply, "Silly, Self -- that would make far too much sense."

So what's the freaking deal?!? Yea, I paid less than $10 for it, so I'm not out a fortune, but it's completely worthless to me! I can't compare that to anything from any other company or from any other time in the past or future! I feel like I've been had! And, all the better, it's impossible for me to tell them about it! I can find no email address, feedback section, phone number, or physical address to them except those to report suspected fraud! (oh wait, maybe that actually does apply here....)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yes, I'm aware that Experian had previously announced that they were no longer providing FICO scores to individuals. However, seeing their offer for my credit score (always specifically stated as "your credit score" until it pulled up my score report), I thought they had simply changed their policy without my hearing of it. "Okay, cool" think I. But no, they simply deceived me.

My apologies for the rant, but I really expected a bit of transparency and honesty from one of the 3 credit bureaus. The fact that they never stated that it is not actually a FICO score (I had to figure it out myself, after having my CC charged, by realizing the point scale was wrong) just kind of ticks me off. So take off my wrapper and call me a sucker!

[disneysteve]

I got caught by that a few years ago. I didn't know at the time that there was anything but the FICO score. I figured if I was buying my credit score, I was getting a FICO. When I ended up with a number higher than the FICO scale goes, I learned my lesson If you want a FICO score, go to myfico.com and nowhere else.

[poundwise]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

If you want a FICO score, go to myfico.com and nowhere else.

Ditto.

[kork13]

yea... you live and learn. oh well....

[GREENBACK]

Kork

You seem pretty knowledgable but are you monitoring your scores for any particular reason? Pay your obligations when due and don't sweat this stuff. This credit report stuff has become a scam from my view. I scarcely ever look at mine and have I.D theft protection and I pay everything in full every month. I know it will be high enough when needed.

Last I checked it was 790 but really wouldn't matter if it was 850 or 750. I likely wouldn't get that much better/worse of a deal. May be fun to you to know but isn't real critical unless you know you're behind on important payments and you're trying to buy a house/car/buisness....etc.. That's my view of it.

[kork13]

Originally Posted by GREENBACK

Kork

You seem pretty knowledgable but are you monitoring your scores for any particular reason? Pay your obligations when due and don't sweat this stuff. This credit report stuff has become a scam from my view. I scarcely ever look at mine and have I.D theft protection and I pay everything in full every month. I know it will be high enough when needed.

Last I checked it was 790 but really wouldn't matter if it was 850 or 750. I likely wouldn't get that much better/worse of a deal. May be fun to you to know but isn't real critical unless you know you're behind on important payments and you're trying to buy a house/car/buisness....etc.. That's my view of it.

I do stay on top of my finances/obligations quite well. However, I don't have any sort of theft protection services, so I simply monitor my credit reports to ensure there isn't any sort of issue that comes up that needs to be dealt with.

As for the score, yes, it's completely on a whim that I look at it, but if it's only $10 every 4-6 months or so, I'm not overly concerned about the cost, and the credit reports themselves are free. I spend more than that on the occasional dinner out with my friends on a weekend. I'm curious, and so I simply like to know what it is. Interesting to know, but as you said, not really too important right now. I recognize that, and am making that informed choice.

[Seeker]

Originally Posted by kork13

So I say to myself, "Self, that's very strange... I figured that paying for my credit score directly from one of the 3 credit bureaus, I would actually get my FICO score, not some FAKO." To which I received the reply, "Silly, Self -- that would make far too much sense."

Hmmmmm. Kork13 -- do the initials BRK mean anything to you? I've not seen too many people call themselves "Self" and write that way.

[kork13]

Originally Posted by Seeker

Hmmmmm. Kork13 -- do the initials BRK mean anything to you? I've not seen too many people call themselves "Self" and write that way.

haha no, they aren't familiar to me... I picked it up from a friend, though I think I've heard of a comedian out there that does it in his act.

[GREENBACK]

Originally Posted by kork13

haha no, they aren't familiar to me... I picked it up from a friend, though I think I've heard of a comedian out there that does it in his act.

I think I've heard Jeff Foxworthy use the "self" line. Maybe others have.

[wincrasher]

I belong to a service from Experian than monitors my credit and I can get their score at any time. It's not FICO, but I've found it's usually within 10 points.

I haven't seen this newing scoring scheme based on 990 top end.