 TITLE: Why Do My Credit Scores Differ Across the Credit Bureaus? CONTENT: What Are Credit Scores?\n-----------------------\nA credit score is a three-digit number calculated using the information in your credit reports. The most commonly used credit scoring models have a score range of 300 on the low end to 850 on the high end, although there are some exceptions. The higher your scores, the less risk you pose to existing or future lenders, and thus the more attractive your lending options will be.\nThe most commonly used credit scores in the U.S. consumer credit environment are FICO® and VantageScore® credit scores. FICO® and VantageScore's credit scores are used, collectively, over 20 billion times each year. Their scores are commonly used by lenders offering credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, personal loans and other forms of credit.\nLenders may also use their own proprietary credit scoring models after receiving the credit report, or third-party service providers may get your credit report, calculate scores and send both to the lender.\nCredit scoring models consider information from your credit reports that falls into one of five categories: payment history, amounts owed, age of credit, new accounts\/inquiries and credit mix. The better you manage credit in each of these categories, the higher your scores. And the higher your scores, the better deals you'll likely receive from lenders and other service providers. END