Most people believe they have “a credit score.”
In reality, you have dozens.
Not because there are three credit bureaus — but because each bureau runs multiple scoring models designed for different industries.
Mortgage lenders, auto lenders, and credit card companies are not all looking at the same score — even when they pull from the same bureau.
Understanding this helps explain why your score may change depending on who is reviewing it.
Let’s clarify something important:
Think of it like this:
The bureau provides the raw data.
The scoring model decides how to grade it.
And different industries use different grading systems.
Within each bureau, there are multiple versions of FICO and other models tailored to specific types of lending.
Used by home lenders.
These models:
Mortgage scores are often more conservative than other industry scores.
Used by car lenders.
These models:
You could have:
Because the models prioritize different risk factors.
Used by credit card issuers.
These models:
They are built to predict short-term revolving credit risk — not 30-year mortgage repayment behavior.
Let’s say a lender pulls your Experian report.
That same Experian data could generate:
All different numbers.
All from the same bureau.
All mathematically valid.
All using different weighting systems.
That’s because each model is designed to predict a different type of risk.
On another page of our site, we explain the “de-duplication” feature in credit scoring models — the rule that allows borrowers to shop for mortgage rates without being penalized multiple times.
Here’s the key:
The de-duplication window (typically 14–45 days) is built into the mortgage scoring models — not just the credit bureaus.
That means:
Each industry model includes logic designed for how consumers typically shop in that category.
This is another example of why there isn’t “one universal score.”
Many consumer apps display:
However, mortgage lenders must use specific mortgage-focused scoring models.
Those models:
This is why someone might see:
Both numbers can be correct — they are simply using different scoring formulas.
Understanding scoring models helps:
A 15–25 point difference in a mortgage score can affect:
That’s why relying solely on an app-based score can lead to inaccurate assumptions.
As a mortgage brokerage focused on transparency and strategy, we:
We don’t guess based on consumer apps.
We analyze the scoring model that will actually be used for your loan.
Money Well Lending is committed to mortgage transparency far beyond what is legally required. We believe educated borrowers make better decisions — and better relationships. Make us “put our money where our mouth is”. We would love to earn your confidence!