Fact-Checking & Sources Policy
Last Updated: June 5, 2026
At Credit Score Mastery, we know that bad credit advice can cost you real money. That’s why every article meets strict YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) editorial standards before publication.
Our Fact-Checking Process
All articles authored by Daniel Brooks and our editorial team are cross-referenced against official sources before publishing. No claim goes live without verification.
1. Primary Sources First
We rely on primary and authoritative sources whenever possible, including:
- FICO.com — For scoring models FICO 8, 9, 10, 10T, and industry-specific scores
- CFPB.gov — For consumer rights, regulations, and complaint data
- Federal Reserve publications and datasets — For economic data affecting lending
- Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion official resources — For bureau-specific policies and dispute processes
- FTC.gov — For identity theft, credit reporting rules, and enforcement actions
- Relevant U.S. federal laws — including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA)
Secondary sources like news articles or financial blogs are only used for context and must cite a primary source themselves.
2. Verification Steps
Every factual claim, statistic, or “rule” must pass this checklist:
- Confirmed in at least one official source listed above
- Checked for recent updates — scoring model changes, law amendments, or 2026 mortgage scoring updates are reviewed quarterly
- Written in plain English without losing accuracy. We translate jargon but don’t oversimplify to the point of being misleading.
3. Update Schedule
Credit rules change. Our core guides on scoring models, disputes, and loan requirements are reviewed every 90 days. If a major change occurs — like FICO 10T adoption for mortgages in 2026 — we issue an off-cycle update. Each article displays a “Last Verified” date.
4. Corrections Policy
Found an error? We want to fix it. Email corrections@creditscoremastery.com with the article link and source showing the correct info. Validated corrections are made within 7 business days, and we’ll add a correction note at the bottom of the article.
5. No Conflicts of Interest
Our fact-checking process is independent of any affiliate relationship. We do not let lenders, card issuers, or credit repair companies review, approve, or edit our content before publication.