Does Credit Karma affect your credit score?

There are several reasons why your Credit Karma credit score may differ from the one you see on other services.

There is a delay in reporting

Credit scores may update at different times, so your credit report could experience a lag based on when creditors report your payments. There are also some lenders that only report to select credit bureaus instead of to all three. Some creditors may report faster than others, causing your credit score to change in response, even if it is only temporary. 

The credit scoring model varies

Different credit reporting agencies may utilize separate scoring models, affecting how your credit score is calculated. It is one reason why credit scores can vary so significantly. One model may prioritize some facets of your credit more than others, such as late payments or your debt-to-income ratio. 

For its part, Credit Karma does not use the popular FICO® score for your credit. 

Instead, it uses the Vantage 3.0 credit score that is based upon TransUnion and Equifax reporting. 

It is a mistake 

Most credit scores you see on Credit Karma reflect the latest available information provided by credit bureaus. However, sometimes mistakes happen, and they can negatively impact your credit report. That is why it is so important to monitor your credit report, so you know if there are any inaccuracies that need fixing. 

To help, Credit Karma offers its Direct Dispute tool so you can make an easy appeal to removal inaccurate information.