Equifax states only 1% have credit score over 800

Contrary to information from its credit score company, Equifax claims that the portion of the population who have a credit score over 800 is one percent (1%).

However, a distribution chart from FICO, the credit score company, indicates that 13% have 800 or more.


 

In a video interview, Steve Ely, president, North American Personal Solutions of Equifax, Inc. states: “I think less than one percent of the population has more than 800. So, you’re in an elite crowd if you have higher than an 800.”

The statement is accompanied by a graphic which states, “Less than 1% have 800 or higher.”

Credit score myth on Wikipedia dies after 654 days

New encyclopedia game contestant Kat Malone removed Wikipedia’s 678 credit score myth on May 22, 2009, after it stood for one year and 9 months.

The user challenged the 678 myth in the Wikipedia article “Credit score (United States)” with the deadly wiki “citation needed” flag.

Other important and controversial changes in the wiki include capitalizing the word corporation, and that the FICO score scale is between “300 and 800 (per Barack Obama),” “300 and 850,” and “300 and 800 (change it back, I dare you).”

The wiki is a top-ten result for the term credit score at search engines Google, Yahoo! and MSN.

Website creditscoring.com covers the wiki folly and wiki myth at “Influence: Media, Wikipedia” and “Fake-O FICO Funk.”  The credit score website’s author even traveled to San Francisco to alert Wikipedia in person, but was unsuccessful because Wikipedia’s headquarters address is secret.

Credit score, job, employer, NBC Washington TV station

 

REPORTER:  “Jim, if finances have a heartbeat, it’s the credit score. It affects what you pay for mortgages or rent, your auto loan, your insurance, your utility deposits, and even if you’ll get a job.”

From: creditscoring.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 2:52 PM
To: Elizabeth Crenshaw (askliz@nbcwashington.com)
Cc: Jeff Zucker, ‘news4pr@nbc.com’; ‘nbc4dc@nbc.com’
Subject: credit score, employers

You said: “If finances have a heartbeat, it’s the credit score. It affects what you pay for mortgages or rent, your auto loan, your insurance, your utility deposits, and even if you’ll get a job.”

 

Who is your source regarding credit score use by employers?

 

Credit Scores Used by Employers: Believers

See Credit scores used by employers:  Believers and Nonbelievers.

Now, only categorized in the influence > government directory, this topic deserves its own section.  FICO, USA Today, the U.S. Treasury Department, Federal Reserve, EEOC and many others communicate a similar message:  Watch out— credit scores are used in employment screening.  But, when contacted, the various media, government agencies, associations and consumer advocates (they all look the same; on the Internet, nobody knows you’re a bureaucrat) come up short when asked for their sources.

So, what’s the big problem with that?  The credit bureaus say that they don’t sell scores to employers.

What is a credit score?

What is a credit score? gives consumer reporting industry and federal government definitions for the term credit score.

Experian:  15 definitions on 7 websites.  Takes the prize for the most shelf space and elegant variation.

Equifax:  Among others, gives the FICO score definition.  Discord with TransUnion over what period FICO predicts.

TransUnion:  Typographical error in FAQ.

FICO (the artist formerly known as Fair, Isaac and Fair Isaac), U.S. Treasury, HUD, FTC, FDIC and FCIC finish the set.

Credit score, employers, Citi

To: Vikram.Pandit@citi.com
From: “creditscoring.com” <greg@creditscoring.com>
Subject: credit score, employers
Cc: Alberto J. Verme (et al)
Date:  4/5/2009

Vikram Pandit
Citi

You wrote, “Lenders, insurers, landlords, employers and utility companies use your credit score to determine if you qualify for a loan, and at what interest rate and credit limit.”

Who is your source for the information regarding credit score use by employers?