Here is more evidence as to why customers sitting across the desk from you might be frustrated the rate attached to their installment contract isn’t as favorable as they expect. A new survey from FactorTrust indicated most U.S. adults do not understand what is and what is not included in their credit history, and therefore impacting their credit scores.

Out of 2,279 U.S. adults surveyed, the results showed 71 percent assumed that major credit bureaus are including all consumer credit history, including non-traditional payments like short-term loans, online, rent-to-own and more. This survey, conducted by Radius Global Market Research in June and commissioned by FactorTrust, showcased the disconnection between consumers and their own credit data.

“Consumers and lenders are facing realities when it comes to credit histories generated by the Big 3 bureaus,” FactorTrust chief executive offier Greg Rable said. “The true nature of their payment habits is not accurately being reflected in their credit profiles, because the alternative loans they are taking out and repaying on time are not included.

“It’s no surprise there are so many misperceptions around what constitutes a consumer’s credit profile and why lenders are seeking new and progressive methods to develop better ways to learn about the consumers they serve, or could be serving,” Rable continued.

FactorTrust asserted the omission of certain types of alternative data, like short-term loans and rent-to-own payments, means that consumers who successfully repay these non-traditional loans do not receive the credit they deserve. But, 72 percent of U.S. adults believe finance companies and other lenders would be more likely to consider a consumer for a loan with information about all of their loans, including alternative credit data.

In addition, 68 percent of U.S. adults who participated say their credit history would improve if it incorporated all of their payments including non-traditional loans (short-term, personal, online, rent-to-own).

These same participants also have misunderstandings about their credit data and the lack of alternative data included in credit history and scores. FactorTrust pointed out that 33 percent of U.S. adults believe that non-traditional payments (online loan, housing, rental) are included in their credit score.

The survey was conducted online within the United States by Radius Global Market Research on behalf of FactorTrust June 26 through 28 among 2,279 adults age 18 and older in the United States. The results were weighted to the U.S, census for age, gender, region and income.