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| Starting price | $24.95 |
|---|---|
| Credit scores | TransUnion Equifax Experian |
| Credit monitoring | Yes |
| Trial period | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly |
Founded in 1969, TransUnion is the youngest of the “big three” credit reporting bureaus in the US. It’s also the smallest, though it holds a database of more than 1 billion consumers across 33 countries.
TransUnion uses the VantageScore 3.0 model, grading consumers from 300 to 850. Generally, the higher your score, the more likely you’ll be offered competitive terms and low rates from creditors and lenders.Though it’s not always clear on TransUnion’s site, the bureau appears to offer only one way to see your VantageScore: Through its Credit Monitoring subscription service.
For about $24.95 a month, you become a TransUnion member with unlimited access to the TransUnion Score & Report, which includes your VantageScore 3.0 — an industry score developed jointly by the three main bureaus.
Like similar bureau packages, you’ll have access to expert guidance and resources to help you analyze your debt, dispute items on your report or learn more about the path to financial freedom.
| Benefits | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| TransUnion Credit Monitoring |
| $24.95 a month plus tax |
No. Inquiring about your own credit score or report won’t damage your score because it’s only a soft pull of your credit. A hard pull of your credit is what can cause a minor ding to your score.
Your membership includes:
On the business side, TransUnion uses its extensive database of consumer information to help companies and industries narrow their focus on specific customers and employees and assess consumer data and trends. It also designs products for the government that assess risk, ensure safety and prevent cyber fraud.
Here’s what you’ll want to know about benefits and drawbacks before you subscribe with TransUnion.
Do you think your credit needs repairing?
To sign up for TransUnion’s credit monitoring service, go to its site and click My Credit Score & Report or Get Your Credit Score.
To create a TransUnion account to log in to for future access to your subscription’s benefits, you’ll need to:
Yes. TransUnion joins Experian and Equifax in leading credit reporting within the lending industry. It reports your credit score using the VantageScore model, created jointly with the other two bureaus.
But the VantageScore it reports could differ from your FICO Score, which is more widely used among lenders and creditors.
Yes. Many major credit card companies — like Discover and Capital One — have started sharing credit scores with consumers, whether they’re cardholders or not.
Customer service from TransUnion has been reported to be frustrating. This seems to be the result of having department specific phone numbers which makes it hard to get in contact with the representative who can serve you best.
The easiest way to get started is to log in to your TransUnion account. In your dashboard, you’ll see options for managing your subscription, disputing an item on your report, freezing access to your credit history and more.
Or call TransUnion to speak with an agent:
If you’re looking to get your finances in order over a period of time, but don’t want to spend too much, TransUnion offers a great value for the monthly subscription deal. The Credit Score Simulator can also help you find ways to improve your rating.
However, the TransUnion website wasn’t as competitive when it came to offering different tiers of services. If you were looking for the cheapest way to purchase a one-off credit score, you may want to look elsewhere.
