CISCO Credit Knowledgebase Article 

Overview

The FICO® Score Mortgage Simulator is a mortgage-focused score simulation tool that allows mortgage professionals to model how selected credit report changes may affect an applicant’s FICO® Scores used in mortgage lending. The simulator includes FICO® Smart Plans, also referred to in this article as the Money and Target Simulator, which can generate suggested plans based on a target midscore or the amount of money the borrower has available, as well as build-your-own simulation options for individual credit changes.

The tool estimates score impact by applying simulated changes to select credit bureau report data as of the credit report pull date. It is intended to support borrower conversations and planning, not to replace credit report updates, underwriting requirements, or final loan decisioning.

Accessing FICO® Score Mortgage Simulator

1. Log in to the CISCO Credit web portal.
2. Open the borrower’s credit file. You can locate the file by using the search bar at the top of the page, or by selecting Find Ordered Products and opening the borrower’s report.
3. Order or open the required credit report.
4. Look for the FICO® Score Simulator link or available simulator option on the credit file.
5. Select the FICO® Score Simulator link.
6. The simulator should open in a new browser window using single sign-on, so a separate FICO login should not be required.

Note: If the FICO® Score Simulator option does not appear, the account may not be enabled for this product. Contact CISCO Credit Support for assistance.

Using the Money and Target Simulator (FICO® Smart Plans)

When the simulator opens, the first page displays FICO® Smart Plans. This Money and Target Simulator can generate suggested credit-improvement plans using either the target midscore the user is trying to help the borrower reach or the amount of money the borrower has available to apply toward credit improvement.

Generate Plans by Target Midscore

1. Select Target score.
2. Enter the target midscore the user is trying to help the borrower reach.
3. Select Generate Plans.
4. Review any suggested plans displayed below the starting score. At least one plan will appear only when the simulator identifies a potential path to increase the borrower’s credit score to the requested target.

Generate Plans by Available Money

1. Select Available Cash.
2. Enter the amount of money the borrower has available to apply toward credit improvement.
3. Select Generate Plans.
4. Review any suggested plans displayed below the starting score. At least one plan will appear only when the simulator identifies a potential score increase using the amount entered.

Use a Suggested Plan

1. Review the suggested plan details, including the simulated score, estimated paydown amount, timing, number of accounts to update, and any rescore recommendation shown.
2. Select + Use Plan for the suggested plan the user wants to open.
3. The simulator opens the suggested plan in a new plan tab. If no other plan exists, the new tab is labeled Plan 1.
4. If plans already exist, the simulator assigns the next available sequential plan number. For example, if Plan 1, Plan 2, and Plan 3 already exist, the selected Smart Plan opens as Plan 4.

Note: The Money and Target Simulator can still be used after one or more plans have been created. Selecting + Use Plan does not overwrite an existing plan; the suggested plan opens in a newly numbered plan tab.

Important: A suggested plan appears only when the simulator identifies a potential way to reach the target midscore or improve the score within the available amount. Generated plans and simulated scores remain estimates for educational and planning purposes and do not guarantee an actual score change.

Supported Browsers

For best results, use the simulator from a desktop or laptop browser rather than a mobile device. FICO® Score Mortgage Simulator is designed for modern browsers and non-mobile views, including current versions of Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and Safari depending on the operating system.

Simulator Home Page and Dashboard Overview

Build-Your-Own Simulation Scenarios

In addition to generated Smart Plans, users can select Create Plan and build a plan manually using the following simulation scenarios:

• Change tradeline balance
• Delete third-party collections
• Update derogatory tradeline to paid
• Improve the status of a currently delinquent account
• Remove account disputes

1. Change a Tradeline Balance

Use this option to simulate how changing the balance on an eligible tradeline may affect the applicant’s FICO® Scores. Eligible accounts may include revolving accounts, open-ended accounts, installment loans, and similar tradelines. If the tradeline has an amount past due, reducing the balance may also reduce the amount past due in the simulation.

Steps

1. Go to the Accounts tab.
2. Locate the tradeline you want to adjust.
3. Click the pencil icon next to the balance field.
4. Review the current reported balances in the window that opens.
5. Enter the new balance you want to simulate.
6. Select the bureau or bureaus you want to include.
7. Click Simulate.

Results

• The FICO® Scores section updates to show the simulated score impact.
• The Score Delta shows the estimated score difference.
• Changed values are highlighted on the tradeline.
• The Action Plan shows the selected action and the paydown amount required.

2. Delete a Third-Party Collection

Use this option to simulate removing a third-party collection from the applicant’s credit report. This simulates the complete removal of the collection. A paid collection may still be considered negative in classic FICO® Score calculations, so this option is different from simply paying a collection account.

Steps

1. Click the Collections tab.
2. Locate the collection account.
3. Click the pencil icon for that collection.
4. Review the bureaus where the collection is reporting.
5. Select the bureau or bureaus you want to simulate.
6. Click Simulate.

Results

• The scores section updates with the simulated score impact.
• The Score Delta displays the estimated change.
• The collection may show as Deleted if removed from all reported bureaus, or Partially Deleted if removed from only some bureaus.
• The Action Plan records the selected collection deletion.

3. Update a Derogatory Tradeline to Paid

Use this option to simulate updating a derogatory tradeline with a balance to a zero-dollar paid balance. This does not remove historical delinquency or derogatory history from the account.

Steps

1. Go to the Accounts tab.
2. Locate the derogatory tradeline.
3. Click the pencil icon next to the balance field.
4. Review the bureaus where the derogatory account is reported.
5. Select the bureau or bureaus you want to simulate.
6. Click Simulate.

Results

• The scores section updates with the estimated score impact.
• The tradeline balance simulates as $0.
• Any amount past due also simulates as $0.
• The payment status will show a generic Paid Derogatory status.
• The Action Plan records the action and any required paydown amount.

4. Improve the Status of a Currently Delinquent Account

Use this option to simulate changing a currently delinquent account to a less severe delinquency status or to current. This action does not remove historical delinquency or derogatory information.

Steps

1. Go to the Accounts tab.
2. Locate the currently delinquent tradeline.
3. Click the pencil icon next to the payment status field.
4. Review the eligible payment status options.
5. Select the revised payment status.
6. Click Simulate.

Results

• The scores section updates with the estimated score impact.
• The tradeline shows the original and simulated payment status values.
• The Action Plan records the selected status change.

Tip: When a payment would also affect the balance or amount past due, combine a delinquency status simulation with a balance change simulation to estimate the cumulative impact.

5. Remove Account Disputes

Use this option to simulate removing dispute indicators from tradelines or third-party collections included on the credit report.

Steps

1. Locate the disputed tradeline or collection.
2. Click the pencil icon next to the comments field.
3. Review the bureaus where the dispute is reported.
4. Select the bureau or bureaus you want to simulate.
5. Click Simulate.

Results

• The scores section updates with the simulated score impact.
• The Score Delta displays the estimated change.
• The Action Plan records the dispute removal action.

Working With Action Plans

Each plan tab tracks its selected simulation scenarios in real time. Simulated FICO® Scores and Score Deltas are cumulative, meaning they reflect all active simulation actions in that plan. Plans can be created manually or added from FICO® Smart Plans by selecting + Use Plan.

• Create and manage up to five plan tabs, including manually created plans and suggested plans added through + Use Plan.
• Use the numbered tabs to move between plans. Newly added Smart Plans use the next available plan number.
• Delete individual actions from a plan.
• Use Start Over to reset the selected plan.
• Print an action plan for the applicant’s personal educational and informational use.
• Return to saved action plans through the same simulator link.

Retention: Simulation actions may be run for up to 30 days from the credit report pull date of the oldest report in the order. Saved action plans may be accessible for up to 120 days from the credit report pull date of the oldest report in the order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to simulate an action across all three bureaus?

No. You can select one, two, or all three bureaus when running an eligible simulation action.

Can simulated scores be used for underwriting or credit decisions?

No. The simulator provides estimated score impacts for educational and planning purposes only. Simulated scores and simulator content cannot be used to make credit evaluation decisions.

Why did the simulated score not increase?

A simulation does not guarantee a score increase. Results depend on the applicant’s full credit profile, the bureaus selected, the specific data being changed, and the credit report data available as of the credit report pull date.

Can I remove or change an action after running it?

Yes. You can delete an individual action from the Action Plan, and the simulated scores will adjust automatically. You can also use Start Over to reset the plan.

What happens when I select + Use Plan?

The selected suggestion opens in a new numbered plan tab. If it is the first plan, it opens as Plan 1. If other plans already exist, it receives the next sequential number, such as Plan 4 when three plans already exist.

Who should I contact for help?

If you have questions or do not see the FICO® Score Simulator option in your CISCO Credit web portal, contact CISCO Credit Support.

Important: The FICO® Score Mortgage Simulator is a simulation tool made available for limited informational and educational purposes. It is intended solely to assist authorized users in reviewing potential credit score impacts that may result from selected hypothetical changes to credit report data as reported at the time the applicable credit report was obtained.

The simulator does not represent, warrant, or guarantee any actual or future credit score, credit report update, loan approval, pricing change, underwriting outcome, or borrower qualification. Simulated score results are not actual credit scores and should not be relied upon as a final determination of creditworthiness or lending eligibility.

CISCO Credit makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, reliability, usefulness, or availability of any simulated result. CISCO Credit shall not be responsible or liable for any decisions, actions, omissions, losses, delays, adverse outcomes, score changes, or failure to obtain a desired score improvement resulting from or related to the use of the simulator.

Users are responsible for independently verifying all credit report information, lender requirements, underwriting conditions, and borrower-specific circumstances before making recommendations or taking action. Use of the simulator is at the user’s own discretion and does not create any obligation, guarantee, or liability on the part of CISCO Credit.