TO: DayanaY@fool.com
FROM: creditscoring.com
SUBJECT: average credit scores
DATE: 2/9/05, 8:14 AM

Congratulations on conquering the search engine ranking battle. In a Google news search for "credit score," your article "Celebrity Credit Scores Stink" was third from the top.

However, you said, "It's no wonder that the average American's credit score is in the 670s." http://www.fool.com/About/staff/DayanaYochim/author.htm. Here are two other publications that say the median FICO score is something different:

"The median FICO score is 725, says Craig Watts of Fair Isaac, the company that compiles the scores."
http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/drt/archive/2004/dt040902.html

"The median score is roughly 720." http://homes.wsj.com/buysell/mortgages/20020321-simon.html A report by a television show states, "The median FICO score is 720 out of a possible 850." http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/credit/etc/script.html The link ("Find out instantly") you provide in your last paragraph refers to a page that says you are in partnership with TransUnion, and links to another page to "Learn more about the Hunt for the Perfect Credit Score." That page, in turn, links to a page that explains the "TransUnion score."

Finally, on that third page, is a disclaimer that states, "TrueCredit is not connected in any way with Fair, Isaac and Company; the credit score provided here is not a so-called FICO score."

Thinking that a FICO score in the 670s is average may give someone a false sense of security. And after they try to win the $1,000 prize, should they realize that they are not looking at the FICO score, they will be compelled to spend even more money to get it.

You are misleading consumers. Will you publish a clarification?

------------------------

Fool.com: Celebrity Credit Scores Stink [Motley Fool Take] February 8, 2005
(http://www.fool.com/news/mft/2005/mft05020813.htm)

Celebrity Credit Scores Stink

By Dayana Yochim (TMF School)February 8, 2005

[copy of full story]

TO: tmfschool@aol.com, DayanaY@fool.com
FROM: creditscoring.com
SUBJECT: average credit scores
DATE: 2/9/05, 10:47 PM

Are you there?

I'm all for snappy writing but I prefer accuracy.

At the end of your most current story (2/9/05), you did it again: TransUnion is not using the FICO for their $1,000 contest. And, this time, you were the number one result (up from number three, yesterday) in a Google news search of "credit score." The prominence of misinformation is rising.

"Do you have a stellar reputation with your banker? A FICO score that's flawless? If you have a perfect credit score -- and about six of you reading this do -- there's $1,000 in cash and a lifetime of free credit-watch services with your name on it."

Debt Becomes You

By Dayana Yochim (TMF School)
February 9, 2005

[copy of full story]

To: creditscoring.com
Subject: [JunkMail] Re: average credit scores
From: TMFSchool@aol.com

Date: 2/10/05, 2:40 PM

Hi Greg -- Apologies for the delayed response. It sounds like you may have written me before, but I searched this email box and couldn't find your note. If you don't mind re-sending, I'd much appreciate it.

I see how a reader could carry over the "FICO" mention in the second sentence into the third. I'm aware that TrueCredit/TransUnion does not use the FICO-branded model. Although I did refer to the contest's score as generic "credit score," thanks for pointing out how the presentation might be misleading. I'll make sure it is completely accurate and not open to misinterpretation next time I mention TrueCredit's promotion.

Thanks much,
Dayana

To: TMFSchool@aol.com
From: creditscoring.com
Subject: Re: average credit scores
Date: 2/10/05

It is more complicated than that; the previous story is more consequential. Here is my original message:

Congratulations on conquering the search engine ranking battle. In a Google news search for "credit score," your article "Celebrity Credit Scores Stink" was third from the top.

However, you said, "It's no wonder that the average American's credit score is in the 670s."
http://www.fool.com/About/staff/DayanaYochim/author.htm.

Here are two other publications that say the median FICO score is something different:

"The median FICO score is 725, says Craig Watts of Fair Isaac, the company that compiles the scores."
http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/drt/archive/2004/dt040902.html "The median score is roughly 720."
http://homes.wsj.com/buysell/mortgages/20020321-simon.html A report by a television show states, "The median FICO score is 720 out of a possible 850."
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/credit/etc/script.html

The link ("Find out instantly") you provide in your last paragraph refers to a page that says you are in partnership with TransUnion, and links to another page to "Learn more about the Hunt for the Perfect Credit Score." That page, in turn, links to a page that explains the "TransUnion score."

Finally, on that third page, is a disclaimer that states, "TrueCredit is not connected in any way with Fair, Isaac and Company; the credit score provided here is not a so-called FICO score."

Thinking that a FICO score in the 670s is average may give someone a false sense of security. And after they try to win the $1,000 prize, should they realize that they are not looking at the FICO score, they will be compelled to spend even more money to get it.

You are misleading consumers. Will you publish a clarification?

1998: "Well, again, what scores? " http://creditscoring.com/pages/forumtranscript.htm#page271

You enjoy a very high pulpit as a Google News source. When will you publish a clarification?

To: TMFSchool@aol.com
From: creditscoring.com
Subject: Re: average credit scores
Cc: webfool@fool.com, WWhite@fool.com
Date: 2/17/05

Your email is published on creditscoring.com.