You’ve probably checked your credit score before, and maybe you noticed it changes depending on where you look. One app says 712, another says 689. What’s going on?
The reason is simple but confusing: not all credit bureaus are the same. Each bureau collects and reports your financial data differently, which means your score can shift depending on who’s doing the math.
If you’re a college student trying to build credit, understanding how these bureaus work can help you avoid frustration and make smarter decisions with your money.
Let’s break it down.
What are credit bureaus?
Credit bureaus are private companies that collect information about how you use money, like whether you pay bills on time, how much debt you have, and how long you’ve been borrowing.
They compile this data into a credit report and use it to calculate your credit score. Lenders, landlords, and even employers use that score to judge how trustworthy you are with money.
There are three major credit bureaus in the United States:
Credit Bureau | Description |
Experian | One of the largest U.S. credit bureaus, collecting data on loans, credit cards, and payment history. Offers consumer credit reports and monitoring tools. |
TransUnion | Gathers and maintains credit information similar to other bureaus, providing credit reports, scoring, and identity protection services. |
Equifax | Also collects credit data from lenders and creditors and provides credit reports and monitoring products for consumers and businesses. |
While they all track similar data, each has its own sources, scoring model, and update schedule, meaning no two reports are identical.
Why your score might look different on each bureau
Even though your financial behavior doesn’t change, the information each bureau has about you might. Here’s why that happens:
1. Lenders don’t report to all bureaus
Not every lender sends information to all three credit bureaus. For example, your student loan servicer might report to Experian and TransUnion but skip Equifax.
That means your Experian score could reflect your loan payments while your Equifax report doesn’t, instantly creating a difference in your credit score.
2. Each bureau updates on its own timeline
Credit data isn’t shared in real-time. One bureau might update your credit card balance today, while another waits until the end of the month. Those small timing differences can lead to temporary fluctuations.
3. Scoring models vary
Even with the same data, different bureaus use slightly different formulas. For example, FICO and VantageScore weigh factors like payment history or credit utilization differently.
So while your financial behavior stays consistent, your credit score may not.
Which bureaus does Fizz report to?
Fizz currently reports your daily payment activity to Experian and TransUnion, two of the major credit bureaus.
That means every time you use your Fizz card for a purchase and it’s repaid automatically through daily Autopay, those positive habits are recorded and can improve your credit history with both bureaus.
Why this matters for students
If you’re just starting to build credit, being reported to two major bureaus gives you a solid foundation, even without using a traditional credit card.
Fizz might be a debit card, but it still functions like a credit card by giving you a line of credit and reporting your repayment behavior. There’s no interest, no credit check, and no risk of debt spirals.
In short, you get the benefits of a credit card without the financial stress that often comes with one.
How to check your reports from all three bureaus
Even if Fizz reports to Experian and TransUnion, it’s smart to check all your credit reports regularly. You can do this for free at AnnualCreditReport.com, the only federally authorized site.
Here’s what to do:
Request reports from all three bureaus once a year.
Review your payment history and credit inquiries for errors.
Dispute any inaccurate information directly with the bureau that lists it.
Monitoring your reports helps ensure your credit-building efforts, whether through Fizz or other tools, are being accurately recorded.
Do students really need to care about all this?
Absolutely. Here’s why it matters:
Credit affects everything. From renting apartments to applying for jobs, your credit history follows you.
Early habits stick. Positive credit behavior in college sets you up for better rates and approvals later.
Confusion can cost you. If one bureau has outdated or missing data, it can drag down your score when you least expect it.
Understanding how credit bureaus work gives you control, and that’s what most students lack when they first enter the world of credit.
Related: [5 myths about building credit as a student]
FAQs
1. Why are there three credit bureaus instead of one?
Each bureau is an independent company with its own data partners and scoring models. Multiple bureaus exist to provide a more complete picture of your financial behavior and reduce the impact of errors from any single source.
2. Does Fizz report to all three bureaus?
Fizz reports to Experian and TransUnion (not Equifax). Lenders and credit-check systems widely use these two bureaus, so your positive payment activity still counts where it matters most.
3. Will my Fizz payments instantly raise my credit score?
Credit growth takes time. Consistent use of Fizz’s daily Autopay and responsible spending typically helps your score improve over a few months as your on-time payment history builds up.
4. Should I worry if my scores differ across bureaus?
Not at all. Small differences are normal. What matters most is your overall pattern, making payments on time, keeping balances low, and monitoring for errors.
5. What’s the best way to build credit as a student?
Use a debit-based credit builder like Fizz to establish a record of on-time payments without risking debt. Avoid missing payments, keep spending steady, and regularly check your reports.
