First, 90% of all banks, credit card companies, and other financial institutions only look at your FICO credit score. The other “estimated credit scores” that are sold (freecreditreport.com, transunion, etc.) are estimated credit scores based on each credit-score-provider’s unique credit scoring model.

So imagine that you were back in school and the grade you thought you received on a test was completely different than the grade your parents and educators saw! How useful is knowing your grade, if it’s not the one that really counts? Why should you care about, or more importantly pay for, a credit score that doesn’t really count?! We don’t think this is right.

Companies that sell these estimated credits scores take advantage of you. Most of the US population has no idea that there are different types of credit scores, and that what they are purchasing will never be seen by potential creditors who check their credit. These companies who sell “estimated credit scores” use the exact same scoring terminology as real FICO credit scores (a scale between 350-850) to further confuse customers into thinking that these credits scores are legitimate.

So where can you get real FICO credit scores? The only place you can buy you FICO credit scores is either from myfico.com or equifax.com. All other vendors are simply selling you an “esitmated credits scores,” which again may or may not be close to your real FICO credit score.

Remember this – only Equifax.com and MyFico.com sell official “FICO Credit Scores” – the Credit Scores 90% of all lenders use – directly to consumers. These are the only “Credit Scores” you should care about (and ever pay for). By doing this you will know exactly how lenders see you, and you won’t have any nasty surprises when you are buying your next car, house, or applying for a new credit card.