FICO score = equifax only?

[DJFuji]

From Equifax's website:

?Under the FACT Act, we are required to offer you the opportunity to purchase your Credit Score. Only Equifax offers a FICO® Score, the score lenders use most to qualify you for credit.
The FICO® credit score is developed by Fair Isaac.?

Everywhere else on the net says that FICO is independent of equifax and that TransUnion and Experian can also provide you with FICO scores. Is this some technicality on a trademark name or something?

 

[timernstes]

FICO is a product developed by Fair, Isaac Co. and is not connected to any of the three bureaus. Actually, the three credit bureaus have their own product name for the score they provide. Equifax calls theirs the Beacon Score, and Transunion calls theirs the Empirica score. Experian is beginning to offer a new scoring model for their reports, especially in connection with the annual free credit report everyone is entitled to. It's called the Experian PLUS score, and it is not a "true" FICO score.

Point is, be careful about worrying too much about your "credit score." Many banks and lenders have their own risk model they go by, and your "credit score" can vary widely based on whether you are applying for a car loan, mortgage loan, or a credit card.

My two cents.

 

[DJFuji]

Yeah that was my understanding as well. I just didnt get why Equifax claimed to have the only "real" FICO score.

 

[conjur]

Each of the three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) has a FICO score. Go to http://www.myfico.com