To many consumers, a credit score is a mysterious number. Where does the score come from? What does it mean?

Until now, the answers to these questions were overly complex and often hard to understand. That´s why Experian created the easy-to-understand PLUS Score. Consumers can now see what factors in their credit report may directly influence their credit score.

As a credit-reporting company with extensive consumer data and sophisticated analytic resources, Experian offers consumers the confidence they need to understand their credit. The company's expertise in credit scoring dates back more than 30 years. In fact, an Experian company was the very first to offer credit scores based on credit agency data used to assess consumer credit risk, which was eventually made available to all major credit reporting companies.

The Experian-developed PLUS Score is easier to use and understand than most credit scores on the market. The PLUS Score formula was developed using the latest data available on U.S. consumer habits, so consumers can see how their credit compares to today's average U.S. consumer.

The PLUS Score is derived from information based on a consumer's credit report, using a formula similar to those used by lenders. It can range from 330 to 830, with a higher score indicating a lower credit risk. The PLUS Score offers consumers an inside view to their credit score so they have the information they need, regardless of who they turn to for their borrowing needs.

The PLUS Score Illustrator is available to valued members of Experian Credit Manager^SM. Consumers receive hands-on access and the ability to hypothetically adjust various credit score factors to see the impact those changes could have on their score. This can help consumers truly understand how credit scores work.