Which credit bureau and credit score does Credit Karma use for its data?

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Credit Karma uses TransUnion for its credit data and credit scores. The credit score model is one developed by TransUnion. This score is the same score used by several other sites for credit monitoring.

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(12 Total Comments)

Do TrueCredit.com and CreditKarma.com use the same scoring system? I understand they are both Transunion but the difference for between both sites on my score is drastically different. "

monimoni79 at 1:59 pm Mar 7

We used to. In Jan 2010, they moved to the Vantage score.

CK Moderator

I just looked on Transunion and my score reported is 43 points lower than the credit karma site why the difference? "

jtn1961 at 7:04 am Jan 20

They just started using the Vantage score, a different scoring model.

CK Moderator

Will Credit Karma be changing so that CK scores will accurately reflect trans union scores? "

billpfister at 10:50 pm Jan 23

We are evaluating options.

CK Moderator

CreditKarma reports that my credit score has dropped almost 30 points from the last time I updated. I cannot find a reason for this, and do not see any information on the site which would suggest anything has changed. My CC utilization is up slightly, but our overall balance is much lower than it was a couple of months ago. We're showing an 'A' score in that category. I just placed a fraud alert with TransUnion, but I need to figure out if CK is getting new information about my credit. I've looked at all the charts and everything seems ok. Any advice would be appreciated. "

mfc90125 at 8:05 pm Dec 14

I have noticed the same thing on my score from CreditKarma. When I look at my score on the transunion site my score changed to a higher score by 73pts. Not sure what is going on since CreditKarma pulls from Transunion. "

dmorales125 at 9:21 am Jan 4

TransUnion mainly sells the TransRisk and Vantage. We use the TransRisk.

CK Moderator

karma should post all three credit scores from each credit reporting agency, not just transunion. perhaps we need the government to mandate equal and similar rating standards between all three credit reporting agencies. each agency seems to have different scales and ratings.this seems to be a contention for us customers who want to know how each agency is scoring us. i dont know which agency my creditor will pull up if i apply for credit and it is too***bersome and way too expensive for me to get multiple scores. "

4srco at 7:53 pm Sep 3

The government does mandate credit reports as you suggest. As for the score, they are a tool of convenience and different lenders use them differently. It is unrealistic to build one score that works for everyone.

CK Moderator

It's interesting that all 3 reporting agencies have such a difference in their range of scores. I know the trimerge is the standard for most lending agencies. Is there a way to get the scores closer? "

StagerGirl at 10:49 pm Jul 29

On a tri-merge, the range is the same because they use the same score. If you are looking to get your scores closer, make sure you check you reports to ensure all have the same correct data.

CK Moderator

I find it interesting the Credit Karma uses Transunion for its credit score Data. Of the three Credit bureaus, Transunion has always scored me the lowest, yet I am surprised considering all that has happened recently that my score is a reasonably good as it is despite so many of my accounts have cut my credit lines and jacked up my interest rates despite the fact I have a 100% pay on time rating and have made real efforts to pay down my balances. "

seastache at 12:23 pm Jul 28

It is a statistical fact that no one credit bureau is better than any other. There are some correlations with better coverage in different geographies based on old reporting habits. Today, those biases are virtually gone due to the ease of transferring data.

CK Moderator

In response to 'Brodermo' you said 'lender is not reorting to TU'. Same is happening to me! What can we do about it? And how can we correct mistakes on our credit report? "

salloux at 12:13 pm Jul 9

Lenders are not obligated to report to all bureaus. However, they are obligated to correct in accurate information if they do report. You should contact your lender if you see something inaccurate on your credit report.

CK Moderator

I got my credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com for Transunion, and five days later I got it from Karma.com. my two scores was different. It went from 750 to 659, how is this possible "

Mischelle at 9:42 pm Jun 26

The score sold on AnnualCreditReport.com is the Vantage Score. It ranges from 501 to 990.

CK Moderator

My report is missing one of my credit cards- which has a high limit, no balance, and is my oldest card. My utilization should be much lower and age of accounts older. Why is this card missing? "

brodermo at 7:50 pm Jun 9