What Age Group Has the Highest Percentage of Credit Scores 620 or Less?

When I first started teaching people how to rebuild their credit almost three decades ago, one of the biggest sources of confusion was the credit score you get from banks (and now from apps). People would come to me saying, “Phil, Chase says my score is 720. Why did I get denied for a loan?”

I get it. It’s frustrating and confusing. But once you understand how credit scores are created, and which ones lenders actually use, it all starts to make sense. In this article, we’ll break it down so that you understand credit-scoring models and how to gauge your credit score.

What Credit Score Does Chase Show?

Chase provides something called a VantageScore 3.0, which is based on a mathematical formula pulled from your TransUnion credit report.

But here’s the important part: The formula applied to create the Chase credit score isn’t the same formula that is used to create a FICO score, which is the model most lenders use. And most lenders will take a look at not only your TransUnion credit report, but also your Experian credit report, and your Equifax credit report.

This might come as a surprise, because most lenders use your FICO score to make credit decisions. In fact, around 90% of lending decisions are based on a version of the FICO model, especially when it comes to mortgages, car loans, and major credit cards.

FICO and VantageScore pull from the same types of data: payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, and so on. But they weigh those factors differently. That means your score can look different depending on which model is used, even though the underlying credit report is the same.

Think of it like two chefs using the same ingredients to make a dish. One might prioritize spice, the other sweetness. The final result looks similar, and the dish might be called the same thing by both chefs, but it tastes different. That’s what’s happening with your credit scores: same data, different recipe.

So if you’re monitoring your credit with Chase, it’s a great way to track trends and get a general sense of your credit health, but don’t assume that number is what lenders will see when they pull your FICO score.

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VantageScore vs. FICO: What’s the difference?

So what’s the difference?

Your credit score is calculated using the information in your credit report, things like:

• Your payment history
• How much debt you’re carrying
• How long you’ve had credit accounts
• What types of credit you use
• How recently you’ve opened new accounts

This information is plugged into a complex mathematical formula that spits out your credit score. But not all scoring models weigh those factors the same way.

• FICO and VantageScore are two competing credit scoring systems.
• Both use the same 300–850 scale, but the formula behind them is different.
• That’s why you can have a 720 VantageScore and a 680 FICO score; both are “accurate,” just calculated differently.

In short: Your Chase credit score is a real credit score, but it is limited in its usefulness because it is not the one most lenders are using. While it’s helpful for tracking trends, don’t assume it’s what a bank will see when you apply for credit.

Why Is My Chase Credit Score Different From Other Scores I’ve Seen?

Here’s something that might seem a little confusing, so I’ll break it down. You have many credit scores. In fact, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reports that consumers can have dozens of scores depending on:

• The credit bureau providing the report (TransUnion, Experian, Equifax)
• The scoring model (FICO 8, FICO 9, FICO Auto Score, VantageScore, etc.)
• The version of the scoring model
• The date your data was pulled

Here’s an example: Let’s say Chase shows your VantageScore 3.0 as 720. But if a mortgage lender pulls your FICO Score 2 based on Experian, it could be 685. Both scores are accurate in their own right. They’re just calculated differently.

Making it even more confusing, when a lender pulls your FICO Score 2, they will get three scores: One from Experian, one from TransUnion, and a third from Equifax. They will ignore the highest and the lowest scores, and they will assign you an interest rate based on the middle score.

Watch & Learn: Building Credit Through a Credit Rebuilder Program

Can I Trust Chase’s Credit Score?

You can trust the Chase credit score to monitor trends and get a general idea of where you stand, but you cannot trust it to be an accurate indicator of the terms you will receive on a credit card, mortgage, or car loan.

Here’s an example: If your Chase score drops, there’s a good chance your FICO score dropped too. If it rises, your FICO likely did as well.

But don’t make major credit decisions like applying for a mortgage or car loan based only on the score you see in your Chase dashboard. Get your real FICO scores first. (You can likely get your FICO score by asking a mortgage broker to pre-approve you for a loan.)

Does a High Chase Credit Score Mean I’ll Qualify for a Loan?

Not always. Lenders rarely use VantageScore to make approval decisions. Even if you have a 730 score with Chase, your FICO could be in the 600s depending on:

• Credit card balances
• Recent inquiries
• Derogatory marks
• Age of accounts

If you’re preparing for a big financial step, like buying a home, leasing a car, or applying for new credit, check your FICO scores in advance.

What If My Chase Credit Score Is Low?

More than 30 years ago, I was a mortgage broker helping people buy homes. One day, I walked into the bank and found out I was overdrawn. When I tried to apply for overdraft protection, I was denied. That moment was humiliating and eye-opening. I knew I had to change something. So I started learning everything I could about credit scores: How they’re built, how they’re damaged, and most importantly, how to rebuild them.

If you’re looking to improve your credit score fast, Chase or FICO, the first step is to figure out why your score is low. For some people, it’s because they don’t have enough credit history. In that case, becoming an authorized user on someone else’s well-managed credit card can give your score an instant boost. For others, high credit card balances are the problem. Lowering your credit utilization, ideally under 30 percent of your limit, or even better, under 10 percent, can lead to major gains in just a few months.

Another powerful strategy is cleaning up errors on your credit report. We’ve seen clients jump 50 to 100 points simply by disputing accounts that should have been removed after bankruptcy or fixing reporting mistakes. If you have collections on your report, paying them off doesn’t always help your score, but negotiating a pay-for-delete agreement can. And even when deletion isn’t possible, resolving the debt can reduce stress and show future lenders you’re taking responsibility.

Finally, building new, positive credit history is key, particularly if you have been through a bankruptcy. Most people think it takes seven years to rebuild a credit score, but that’s a myth. With smart, consistent habits, you can often go from the 500s to the 700s in 12 to 24 months. Focus on what the scoring models care about: recent behavior, on-time payments, low balances, and a steady track record.

Need Help?

Our program, 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, is built around the actual scoring models lenders use, and it works even after bankruptcy.

Want to raise your real credit score?”
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