FICO 10T vs. VantageScore 4.0: What the New Mortgage Scores Mean for You
FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0 are newer credit scores that mortgage lenders can now use for loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, alongside or instead of the older 'Classic FICO.' Both use 'trended data': instead of only looking at your balances today, they look at how your balances have changed over roughly the last two years. That rewards people who pay down debt and can hurt people whose balances keep climbing. VantageScore 4.0 also ignores paid collections and medical collections, and can score people with thin files. Lenders are adopting them gradually, so ask your lender which score it uses.
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Side-by-Side Comparison
| Classic FICO (2, 4, 5) | FICO 10T | VantageScore 4.0 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trended data | No | Yes, about 24 months | Yes, about 24 months |
| Paid collections | Can still count | Ignored | Ignored |
| Medical collections | Can count | Treated less harshly | Ignored |
| Rent & utility data | No | If reported | If reported |
| Thin credit files | Often can't score | Needs some history | Can score more people |
What 'Trended Data' Means for You
Two people with the same $3,000 balance today can get different scores: one who paid down from $8,000 looks better than one who climbed from $500. Paying just the minimum while balances creep up can now count against you, even with no late payments.
- Pay more than the minimum on cards, every month.
- Avoid running balances up in the months before a mortgage.
- Make sure your reported credit limits are correct; a wrong limit makes utilization look higher.
- Dispute paid accounts still showing a balance.
When Will Lenders Use These Scores?
The FHFA, which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, has allowed lenders to use VantageScore 4.0 and plans for FICO 10T, but adoption is gradual and lenders can still use Classic FICO. Auto and credit card lenders choose their own scores. For the latest mortgage rules, see 2026 mortgage score changes and what is VantageScore?
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Frequently asked questions
What to gather first
- A current copy of each credit report you want to review (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) from AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Government-issued photo ID and proof of current address, which bureaus commonly request with a mailed dispute.
- Account statements, payment records, or letters that relate to the item you believe is inaccurate or incomplete.
- The exact account name, partial account number, and the reason you believe the entry is inaccurate or incomplete.
- A way to keep records: copies of what you send and, if mailing, proof of delivery.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Disputing information you know is accurate — that wastes the process and does not help you.
- Sending a vague dispute. Identify the specific item and explain what is inaccurate or incomplete.
- Disputing with only one bureau when the same entry appears on more than one report.
- Keeping no copies of what you sent, so you cannot show what was disputed or when.
- Paying a company that promises deletions or score increases — no one can promise those outcomes.
When to get additional help
Consider additional help if a bureau or furnisher does not respond, if an entry you believe is inaccurate stays on your report after a reinvestigation, if you may be affected by identity theft, or if you have questions about your legal rights.
- Submit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
- Report suspected identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov (FTC).
- For legal questions, consider consulting a licensed attorney in your state. This page is educational information, not legal advice.
How CreditKaren can help
CreditKaren is a free, AI-assisted tool that reviews a credit report you upload and highlights entries that may be inconsistent, incomplete, or worth a closer look. If you decide an item may be inaccurate or incomplete, CreditKaren can draft a dispute letter you can review, edit, and send yourself.
CreditKaren is not a law firm, credit bureau, lender, or credit-repair organization. It does not provide legal advice and does not guarantee deletions, dispute outcomes, or changes to your credit scores. You decide what to dispute and you send every letter.
Important limitation
Sources and further reading
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Written by the CreditKaren Editorial Team. Every guide references FCRA, FDCPA, and CROA statutes with links to the U.S. Code.
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