Consumer Access to FICO Scores
A Brief Chronology
1989 — FICO and Equifax introduce the FICO® credit risk score under Equifax's brand name BEACON®. It is the first general purpose credit bureau risk score that lenders can use to help them make credit decisions throughout the customer relationship.
1990 — FICO and TransUnion introduce the FICO score under TransUnion's brand name EMPIRICA®.
1991 — FICO and Experian introduce the FICO score under Experian's brand name at that time, TRW/Fair, Isaac Model. The launch made the FICO score the first credit bureau risk score available to lenders from all three consumer reporting agencies using the same basic scoring formula.
2000 — From the Los Angeles Times, May 26, 2000: "Credit bureaus Experian and Trans Union said they are developing their own credit scoring systems and would reveal the resulting scores to interested consumers. The scores would not be the same ones created by FICO or currently used by lenders, and it is unclear how accurately the scores would reflect consumers' credit situations."
March 2001 — FICO and Equifax jointly announce the launch of ScorePower®, the first online service for consumers that delivers FICO's FICO® credit risk score. The product is available to consumers at FICO's new consumer website www.myFICO.com and at www.equifax.com. The product includes the consumer's FICO score calculated by Equifax, the Equifax credit report on which the score was based, and an explanation of the chief factors contributing to that score.
August 2001 — Experian launches its consumer website www.CreditExpert.com, a joint venture between Experian and Encore Marketing International, Inc. Experian's news release says the new website will offer credit reports, credit scores and other services to consumers. However the credit score is not the FICO score.
February 2003 — FICO announces the availability to consumers of their FICO scores calculated by TransUnion. In a news release, the company announces the launch of the new product FICO-Scored TransUnion Credit Profile, available at www.myFICO.com. The new product includes the consumer's FICO score calculated by TransUnion and the TransUnion credit report on which the score was based.
June 2003 — FICO announces the availability to consumers of their FICO scores calculated by Experian. In a news release, FICO announces the launch of its new product FICO-Scored Experian Credit Profile on www.myFICO.com. The announcement makes FICO the first company to offer consumers all three of their FICO scores.
January 2009 — Experian notifies FICO that as of February 14, 2009, it will no longer provide FICO scores and credit reports to myFICO® for the benefit of consumers. However Experian renews its agreement with FICO which allows Experian to continue providing FICO scores to lenders and other businesses.