SavvyMoney

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a Credit Report?
  Credit reports, also known as credit files, comprise the credit-related data a credit reporting company has gathered about consumers from different sources. Credit reports include records of mortgage payments, credit card balances, credit card payments, auto loan payments, and credit inquiries. It may also include accounts that have gone into collections, public records, and other information from government sources.

  Credit reports include the following about your debt accounts:

  • A list of companies that have given you credit or loans
  • The total amount for each loan or credit limit for each credit card
  • How often you have paid your credit or loans on time and the amount you have paid

  Credit reports may also include the following:

  • Companies that, upon receiving a loan application from you, have seen your credit report to evaluate your creditworthiness in the last 2 years
  • Your address(es)
  • Your employers
  • Other details of public record

  Under Federal law, you are entitled to receive one free copy of your credit report from each credit reporting agency every 12 months. You can obtain a free copy of your credit reports at https://www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228. For more information, visit https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-report-en-309/.
• I share an Online Banking login with someone else. How can we each see our own SavvyMoney Credit Scores online?
  To view your SavvyMoney credit score online, simply create an Online Banking login of your own. You can do this online or by calling us during business hours at (435) 723.3437.
• Am I able to choose which emails I receive from SavvyMoney?
  Yes, you can easily choose when SavvyMoney contacts you. Navigate to the Resources tab, then go to Profile Settings to choose which email notifications you’d like to receive. SavvyMoney sends out three types of emails: Credit Monitoring Alerts, General Messages, and Monthly Notices. You’ll automatically be enrolled to receive all these email communications at first, but you can easily unselect the specific email types you do not wish to receive.
• If Elevate Credit Union doesn’t use SavvyMoney Credit Score to make loan decisions, why do you offer it?
  We want all of our members to be informed and have tools to manage their credit. By using SavvyMoney Credit Score, you can plan and look ahead, so when it comes time to borrow for a big-ticket purchase—like buying a home, car, or paying for college—you have a clear picture of your credit health. You can qualify for the lowest possible interest rate. You’ll also see offers to save money on your new and existing loans with Elevate Credit Union.
• Will SavvyMoney share my credit score with Elevate Credit Union?
  No, Elevate Credit Union cannot access your credit file unless you share it with us. However, if you want to share your credit report with Elevate or a trusted party, you can easily download your SavvyMoney credit report by navigating to the Credit Report tab and selecting 'Download Report'.
• Will Elevate Credit Union use SavvyMoney Credit Score to make loan decisions?
  No, Elevate Credit Union will not use SavvyMoney to make loan decisions.
• What if the information provided by SavvyMoney Credit Score appears to be wrong or inaccurate?
  The SavvyMoney Credit Score makes its best effort to show you the most relevant information from your credit report. If you think that some of the information is wrong or inaccurate, we encourage you to take advantage of obtaining free credit reports from www.annualcreditreport.com and then pursuing with each bureau individually. Each bureau has its process for correcting inaccurate information, but every user can “File a Dispute” by clicking on the “Dispute” link within their SavvyMoney Credit Report.
• Why do credit scores differ?
  Three major credit-reporting bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and Transunion—and two scoring models—FICO or VantageScore—determine credit scores. Financial institutions use different bureaus, as well as their scoring models. Over 200 factors of a credit report may be considered when calculating a score, and each model may weigh credit factors differently, so no scoring model is completely identical. No matter what credit bureau or credit scoring model is used, consumers always fall into specific credit ranges: Excellent (781–850), Good (661-780), Fair (601-660), Unfavorable (501-600), and Bad (below 500).
• Will SavvyMoney Credit Score keep my financial information secure?
  Yes. SavvyMoney uses bank-level encryption and security measures to keep your data safe and secure. Your personal information is never shared with or sold to a third party.
• What is the Score Simulator tool?
  The Score Simulator is an interactive tool that allows you to select various actions you may take and see how your score could be affected. Different actions (such as paying off a credit card balance) could impact your score positively or negatively. Like checking your credit score through SavvyMoney, using the simulator does not affect your credit score.
• How does the SavvyMoney Credit Score differ from other credit scoring offerings?
  SavvyMoney pulls your credit profile from TransUnion, one of the three major credit reporting bureaus, and uses VantageScore 3.0, a credit scoring model developed collaboratively by the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This model seeks to make score information more uniform between the three bureaus to give consumers a better picture of their credit health.
• Does SavvyMoney offer credit report monitoring as well?
  Yes. SavvyMoney will monitor and send email alerts when there’s been a change to your credit profile.
• Will accessing SavvyMoney ‘ping’ my credit and lower my credit score?
  No. Checking SavvyMoney Credit Score is a “soft inquiry,” which does not affect your credit score. Lenders use ‘hard inquiries’ to decide about your creditworthiness when applying for loans.
• Is there a fee to use SavvyMoney?
  Nope! SavvyMoney Credit Score is entirely free for Elevate Credit Union members. You can see your updated credit score up to every 24 hours by clicking “Refresh Score” in the SavvyMoney section of Online Banking. An updated full credit report is available monthly.
• What is SavvyMoney Credit Report?
  SavvyMoney Credit Report provides you with all the information you would find on your credit file, including a list of open loans, accounts, and credit inquiries. You will also be able to see details on your payment history, credit utilization, and public records that show up on your account. Like Credit Score, when you check your credit report, there will be no impact on your score.
• What is SavvyMoney?
  SavvyMoney is a comprehensive Credit Score program offered by Elevate Credit Union that helps you stay on top of your credit. You get your latest credit score and report, understand key factors that impact the score, and see the most up-to-date offers that can help reduce your interest costs. With this program, you always know where you stand with your credit and how Elevate Credit Union can help save you money. Credit Score also monitors your credit report daily. It informs you by email if any big changes are detected, such as a new account being opened, a change in address or employment, a reported delinquency, or an inquiry on your account. Monitoring helps users keep an eye out for identity theft.