15 Funny Tweets From People Who Just Learned The Truth About Credit Karma Scores
Plus how to find your FICO score, aka the credit score that matters most.
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So, Credit Karma has been trending on Twitter because a lot of people were pretty surprised to learn that making big financial decisions based on the company's free credit scores doesn't always end well.
In case you're not familiar, Credit Karma is a personal finance site where you can look up your credit reports and scores for free. Not typically the stuff that trending tweets are made of, but it kinda makes sense given the ongoing GameStop saga.
FYI, your credit reports are held by the three credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Your credit scores (yes, you have way more than one) are calculated using different scoring models and based on information contained in your credit reports. And your credit scores matter because lenders use them to determine if they'll lend to you and the interest rates you'll pay if they do.
Aaaand here's why people are tweeting: Credit Karma shows a kind of credit score called a VantageScore (and they are pretty transparent about it on their site, like in the screenshot below). But the thing is, in over 90% of US lending decisions, lenders actually pull a different score known as your FICO score.
Both VantageScore and FICO are just types of scoring models. And not to get too technical here, but there are also different versions of VantageScores and FICO scores (that use different algorithms), any of which may be pulled by lenders depending on the kind of loan you're applying for. But the TL;DR of it is that the credit score you see on Credit Karma is most likely not what a lender will check when you apply for credit. That's not to say it's never used in any situation — it might be — it's just way less probable.
BTW, if you're still not really sure what all this credit stuff means, check out our handy guide to credit scores.
Since you won't see your FICO credit score on Credit Karma, you could be in for a big surprise if you apply for a loan or line of credit based solely on their scoring information. And as usual, Twitter users had the best reactions when they found this out.
1. Some people compared it to checking your health on the internet:
checking your credit score on credit karma is like checking your symptoms on webmd.
2. Some people were angry:
Credit Karma says Lender: Ma’am my score is 780 its 525.
3.
You mean to tell my my 700 credit karma score might be 500
4. Others were just in total disbelief:
After the dealership tell you ur credit score is 350 when Credit Karma said it was 800
5.
When the mortgage company shows you your real credit score vs what you printed off credit karma
6.
Me seeing my credit score on Credit Karma vs. when I find out the real score at the car dealership
7. Some people could at least appreciate the gesture:
Credit Karma is the friend that always compliments you no matter how ugly you are. It’s appreciated but sometimes we need the truth. Lol
8. Ignorance is bliss...right?!
Me waiting for my approval for a car after looking on credit Karma: The Dealership:
9. Other people thought it had to be one big joke:
Credit karma: then I told her her credit was 849
10.
Lenders when you tell them you have an 800 on Credit Karma:
11. And others felt lied to:
Credit Karma users right now:
12. But there were a few people already ~in the know~:
me reading these Credit Karma tweets
13. Who pointed out there are ways you can check your FICO score:
Credit Karma doesn’t reflect your actual credit score and they kinda tell you this. Actually trust Experian, and your FICO 8 score. Those are the ones that count.
On Experian, you can check the most widely used version of your FICO Score (based on your Experian credit report) any time for free just by signing up for an account. If you're concerned about your credit and want to monitor your FICO scores from Equifax and TransUnion too, Experian also has a paid option that lets you keep an eye on all three.
14.
Credit Karma: “your credit score went up!” Experian:
15.
Credit Karma seeing why they’re trending: