### Is FICO Ripping Off Homebuyers?
Sen. Josh Hawley is finally taking a look at FICO, the company that has its fingers in the credit scoring pie, and guess what? He thinks they’re charging way too much. Shocking, right? On Monday, he sent a letter to FICO asking them to justify their price hikes, which have gone from a measly 60 cents to a wallet-busting $10 in just five years.
The Missouri Republican is worried that these inflated costs are hitting homebuyers hard—especially first-timers trying to make it in an already pricey housing market. It’s almost like he cares about the little guy! In his letter, he pointed out that these price increases disproportionately affect those who can barely afford a home in the first place.
But Hawley isn’t stopping there. He also reached out to the Federal Trade Commission, urging them to investigate FICO for “unfair methods of competition.” Because who wouldn’t want to poke the bear of a near-monopoly? It’s like he’s finally realized that not all monopolies are created equal—some are just more convenient for the big players.
FICO, as you’d expect, didn’t respond to requests for comment. But let’s be real; they’re probably too busy counting their cash to worry about what a senator thinks.
Hawley’s letters are just the latest move in a broader GOP trend of populist posturing, taking on the big bad corporations. He’s asking for a mountain of documents from FICO, possibly tying this into a wider investigation on anticompetitive practices. Because why not?
And let’s not forget, FICO sells its scoring algorithm to the major credit bureaus, who then turn around and charge lenders, who pass those costs onto homebuyers. It’s a lovely little circle of cash flow that leaves the average American footing the bill.
Last year, lenders sounded the alarm about these rising costs, which can add hundreds of dollars to a mortgage. So, is anyone surprised that the credit scoring game is rigged? It’s almost like the system was designed to benefit the few at the expense of the many.
In a world where homeownership is already a pipe dream for many, why are we letting FICO dictate the terms? What’s next, charging us for the air we breathe?
By Admin | Published: March 23, 2026 at 5:16 pm
