If there is a score on the credit report...how do you disprove that you did not use that score in the credit decision?
I agree. It will be difficult to convince an examiner that you didn't use a score if you have one.
A financial institution relies on a credit score in making the credit decision if the credit score was a factor in the credit decision even if it was not a dispositive factor. For example, if a credit score is one of multiple factors in a financial institution’s credit decision, the financial institution has relied on the credit score even if the financial institution denies the application because one or more underwriting requirements other than the credit score are not satisfied. [Commentary to §1003.4(a)(15) #1]
However, you might be able to rely upon this:
If a financial institution makes a credit decision without relying on a credit score for the applicant or borrower, the financial institution complies… by reporting that the requirement (to report the credit score and scoring model version) is not applicable. [Commentary to §1003.4(a)(15) #5]
The document from the CFPB we are using says if the credit score is not applicable, you report 8888 in that field. Has that changed?
No. NA = 8888 for credit score info.