Contrary to popular belief, individuals do not just have three credit scores but many, depending on the model and version used by lenders. While you have three credit reports from Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian, scores vary across different brands like FICO and VantageScore, and are tailored to specific industries. Scores are static until requested and can differ across bureaus due to the unique data each holds. Mortgage lenders often check all three scores, while other lenders may check only one, so maintaining good credit across all reports is crucial. Most lending decisions favor FICO scores. Regularly reviewing all three credit reports is recommended, and scores can change, making it important to compare them from the same period.