Millions of people in the UK could soon see their credit score change even if nothing about their financial behaviour has altered.

TransUnion, one of Britain’s three major credit reference agencies, is replacing its previous 710-point scale with a new system running from 0 to 999. The transition begins in late September 2026 and will continue gradually until June 2027.

<h3>Why Credit Scores Matter</h3>

A credit score is calculated from information contained in your credit history and provides an indication of how reliably you are likely to repay borrowed money.

Banks, credit card providers, mobile phone companies and other businesses may check information held by credit reference agencies before approving an application. A stronger credit history can improve access to borrowing and may help applicants qualify for more favourable interest rates.

However, the UK has no single universal credit score. TransUnion, Experian and Equifax all use different scoring systems, while lenders also apply their own criteria when deciding whether to approve applications.

<h3>What TransUnion Is Changing</h3>

TransUnion’s maximum score is moving from 710 to 999. The company says the new model will provide a more detailed picture of how consumers manage borrowing over time.

The updated calculation will consider additional information, including changes in account balances and patterns of credit card use.

Some terminology is changing too. The lowest categories previously described as “poor” and “very poor” will instead be called “low” and “very low”.

According to TransUnion, around 58% of consumers will remain in the same rating band. Approximately 36% are expected to move into a higher category, while 6% could move down.

Madhu Kejriwal of TransUnion explained that the revised system is intended to make scores clearer and more informative while bringing them closer to the way lenders currently assess consumers.

<h3>A Lower Band Does Not Mean Worse Credit</h3>

Seeing a lower category after the switch may be unsettling, but the change does not automatically mean your financial position has deteriorated. The information contained in your underlying credit report will remain unchanged simply because the scoring model has been updated.

Tom Eyre, chief executive of credit-building platform Loqbox, explained that consumers should focus more closely on the information recorded in their credit files than on one particular number. He noted that lenders examine payment history, existing accounts and other information alongside their own lending criteria.

During the transition, some people may temporarily see different TransUnion scores depending on which bank, app or financial service they use.

<h3>Experian And Equifax Use Different Scales</h3>

Experian has already expanded its own scoring range from 999 to 1,250. Its updated model includes additional financial behaviour, such as rental payments and changes in overdraft use.

Equifax currently uses a scale from 0 to 1,000 after changing from its previous 700-point system in 2021. Because the three agencies may hold slightly different information, checking all three credit reports can provide a more complete picture.

<h3>When A Score Drop Matters</h3>

Small movements are common. Using a larger proportion of a credit card limit, opening or closing an account or updated payment information can all influence a score.

A sudden substantial decline deserves more attention. It could indicate a missed payment, an unexpected account change or, in more serious cases, identity fraud. Consumers are legally entitled to obtain statutory credit reports from the major agencies without charge.

<h3>How To Strengthen Your Credit Profile</h3>

The most useful starting point is making sure the information on your credit reports is accurate. Paying bills and credit commitments on time remains important. Keeping credit card balances comfortably below available limits, avoiding unnecessary applications and registering on the electoral roll may also support a stronger profile.

Formal credit applications generate “hard searches”, so submitting several applications in a short period can work against you.

The main lesson from the TransUnion overhaul is that a score is only one part of the picture. A different number or rating band may look dramatic, but the underlying credit history remains far more important when lenders decide whether to offer you credit.