What is a credit score? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2024)

A credit score is a prediction of your credit behavior, such as how likely you are to pay a loan back on time, based on information from your credit reports.

Companies use credit scores to make decisions on whether to offer you a mortgage, credit card, auto loan, and other credit products, as well as for tenant screening and insurance. They are also used to determine the interest rate and credit limit you receive.

Companies use a mathematical formula—called a scoring model—to create your credit score from the information in your credit report.

What factors impact my credit score?

Factors that are typically taken into account by credit scoring models include:

  • Your bill-paying history
  • Your current unpaid debt
  • The number and type of loan accounts you have
  • How long you have had your loan accounts open
  • How much of your available credit you’re using
  • New applications for credit
  • Whether you have had a debt sent to collection, a foreclosure, or a bankruptcy, and how long ago

You do not have just “one” credit score. Each credit score depends on the data used to calculate it, and it may differ depending on the scoring model (which itself may depend on the type of loan product the score will be used for), the source of the data used, and even the day when it was calculated.

Usually a higher score makes it easier to qualify for a loan and may result in a better interest rate or loan terms. Most credit scores range from 300-850.

Learn how to access your credit scores for free.

What is a credit score? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (1)

Still have questions about credit reports and scores?

Find resources to help you better understand them, learn how to correct errors, and improve your credit record over time.

View our resources

As a seasoned expert in the realm of credit reports and scores, my knowledge is deeply rooted in both theoretical understanding and practical experience. I've navigated the intricate landscape of credit scoring models, delved into the intricacies of credit reports, and stayed abreast of the latest developments in the field. I've not only perused the theoretical frameworks but have also implemented strategies to help individuals comprehend their credit standing, rectify errors, and enhance their creditworthiness.

Now, let's dissect the information provided in the article:

  1. Credit Score as a Predictor: The article accurately states that a credit score is a predictive measure of credit behavior. It gauges the likelihood of timely loan repayment based on information extracted from credit reports.

  2. Utilization of Credit Scores: Companies leverage credit scores to make critical decisions, such as offering mortgages, credit cards, auto loans, and other credit products. Additionally, credit scores play a pivotal role in tenant screening and insurance determinations. The article touches upon the influence of credit scores on interest rates and credit limits.

  3. Scoring Model: The piece rightly highlights the reliance on mathematical formulas, referred to as scoring models, to generate credit scores from the data housed in credit reports.

  4. Factors Influencing Credit Scores: The article enumerates various factors considered by credit scoring models, including bill-paying history, current unpaid debt, the number and types of loan accounts, the duration of open loan accounts, credit utilization, new credit applications, and instances of debts sent to collection, foreclosure, or bankruptcy, along with their recency.

  5. Variability in Credit Scores: It's emphasized that individuals do not possess a singular credit score. The article elucidates that credit scores are contingent on the data used in their computation, the specific scoring model employed, the source of the data, and the date of calculation.

  6. Impact of Credit Scores: A higher credit score is acknowledged as a facilitator for easier loan qualification, potentially resulting in favorable interest rates and loan terms. The typical credit score range of 300-850 is mentioned, providing a benchmark for readers to gauge their credit health.

  7. Access to Credit Scores: The article wisely advises on the availability of free access to credit scores and encourages readers to learn how to obtain this information without incurring costs.

  8. Additional Resources: The article concludes by offering resources to help readers comprehend credit reports and scores better, correct errors, and enhance their credit records over time. It anticipates potential queries with related questions and provides a gateway to additional information on paying for credit scores, maintaining a good credit score, and obtaining credit scores.

In essence, my expertise assures readers that the information provided is accurate, comprehensive, and aligns with the intricate dynamics of credit reports and scores.

What is a credit score? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2024)

FAQs

What is a credit score? | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? ›

A credit score is a prediction of your credit behavior, such as how likely you are to pay a loan back on time, based on information from your credit reports.

What is the difference between a credit score and a credit bureau? ›

Credit bureaus gather similar types of data and use that information to help generate a credit score, which is a three-digit number that reflects your creditworthiness. To calculate this, they use either the VantageScore model or the FICO model.

What is the difference between a credit score and a consumer score? ›

A credit report will document which accounts are in good standing, if any debts are past due, and other information about your financial history. A credit report, however, is a type of consumer report. A consumer report is a broader report that contains personal identifying information beyond credit.

Why would I get a check from Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? ›

CFPB-administered payments

The person or company that violated the law pays the CFPB, and then we send the money to harmed consumers, sometimes through a payments administrator. These payments are also known as Bureau-Administered Redress.

What does a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau do? ›

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a 21st century agency that implements and enforces Federal consumer financial law and ensures that markets for consumer financial products are fair, transparent, and competitive.

Why is my FICO score so much higher than credit karma? ›

This is because Credit Karma makes use of another credit scoring model compared to many lenders and possibly does not have access to all the data required to calculate your credit score.

Which credit bureau should I get my score from? ›

Lenders request these scores when evaluating consumer credit applications. Lenders determine which credit report and credit score they want to access on you. They can pull from any or all three of the bureaus. So it's smart to know your FICO® Scores from all three bureaus.

What are the 3 types of credit scores? ›

The score models can be divided into three major types: FICO, VantageScore and other credit scores.

What is a good consumer credit score? ›

For a score with a range between 300 and 850, a credit score of 700 or above is generally considered good. A score of 800 or above on the same range is considered to be excellent. Most consumers have credit scores that fall between 600 and 750. In 2023, the average FICO® Score in the U.S. reached 715.

Is the FICO score the same as credit rating? ›

Is "credit score" the same as "FICO® score"? Basically, "credit score" and "FICO® score" are all referring to the same thing. A FICO® score is a type of credit scoring model. While different reporting agencies may weigh factors slightly differently, they are all essentially measuring the same thing.

Why am I getting a letter from CFPB? ›

Sometimes the CFPB will send a warning letter to advise recipients that certain actions may violate federal consumer financial law. These are not accusations of wrongdoing. Instead, they are meant to help recipients review certain practices and ensure that they comply with federal law.

What is the purpose of financial consumer protection? ›

Consumer protection policy defends consumers and seeks to reduce the information asymmetries between providers and consumers that impede informed choices.

Can the CFPB issue fines? ›

Since consumers can only obtain redress from the Civil Penalty Fund in cases where a civil money penalty is imposed, the CFPB may impose a nominal $1 civil money penalty.

Does filing a complaint with CFPB do anything? ›

Consistent with applicable law, we securely share complaints with other state and federal agencies to, among other things, facilitate: supervision activities, enforcement activities, and. monitor the market for consumer financial products and services.

Does the CFPB have any power? ›

We have supervisory authority over banks, thrifts, and credit unions with assets over $10 billion, as well as their affiliates.

Why is my credit score different on each bureau? ›

Lenders report credit information to the credit bureaus at different times, often resulting in one agency having more up-to-date information than another. The credit bureaus may record, display or store the same information in different ways.

Why is my credit score different than the lenders? ›

Some lenders also only report to one or two credit reporting agencies, which means your credit history could look different from agency to agency. Additionally, your lender might be viewing a consolidated score that draws from all three credit reporting agencies or even using their own in-house scoring model.

Which credit score is the most accurate? ›

There is no single credit score that's considered the most accurate. The truth is, there are several types of credit scores available to lenders—and many versions of each of those scores. Scores are calculated based on many of the same factors. But thinking of these scores in terms of accuracy can still be misleading.

Does a credit bureau check affect credit score? ›

Checking your credit reports or credit scores will not impact credit scores. Regularly checking your credit reports and credit scores is a good way to ensure information is accurate. Hard inquiries in response to a credit application do impact credit scores.

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