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Over the years, I've run several credit reports on myself inching my way closer to 750 then 800 on a FICO scale. Then, using TrueCredit to analyze my report, as I always have, I suddenly notice I'm being graded now on a scale of 501 to 990.

What's worse is that I was in the 90th percentile of average US scores on the FICO scale. Now I'm as low as the 59th percentile with one of the reporting bureaus! And I didn't even do anything wrong financially this last year!

I assume this is not a FICO score, but instead the grading standards have changed? What is this new number, and how can I improve it now? I was so close to 800 before...

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  • I feel dirty after clicking on the TrueCredit link. When I went to close my browser it popped up saying Hey, a live representative wants to chat with you about this opportunity. Smells very scammy.
    – Alex B
    Jan 13, 2011 at 16:52
  • @AlexB: Eh, they're alright. They've given me accurate information and they're fairly cheap. But I know what you mean - going through the process of cancelling your account with them is very scammy. They just keep giving you reasons to stay with them. I have to do that every couple months after I get the report I need and don't need to check again for a while.
    – NoCatharsis
    Jan 13, 2011 at 20:01
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    Sadly, truecredit is run by TransUnion, which means in the credit score/report business you don't get much less scammy. That was very annoying to me as well.
    – Paul
    Aug 6, 2011 at 2:04

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IIRC it's not a FICO score, as mentioned here, too.

That said, apart from borrowing money to optimise your credit score as a hobby, my understanding is that once you're above a FICO score of 750, it pretty much doesn't matter how close to 800 you get.

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  • Wow that question pretty much mirrors mine. So in summary, as long as I have a decent FICO over 750, nothing else matters, correct? Is myFICO.com the only place to get your true FICO score? Thanks a lot.
    – NoCatharsis
    Jan 13, 2011 at 16:10
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    @NoCatharsis - always, always, always use the bureaus from annualcreditreport.com. They give you your report free and the score they provide for a few added dollars. annualcreditreport.com is the safe and approved way to get to the bureaus who make up your FICO score.
    – justkt
    Jan 13, 2011 at 17:16
  • Got it. But then what about myFICO.com as discussed here? Is that not the same agency?
    – NoCatharsis
    Jan 13, 2011 at 20:03
  • You should worry about negative items on your credit report. The only time you need your score is before you buy a car or house.
    – duffbeer703
    Jan 13, 2011 at 22:51

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