The following are just a few examples of seemingly innocent actions that could cause your score to suddenly and dramatically drop.
I paid off my biggest credit card debt and closed the account, but my score dropped anyway.
This is one of the most frustrating situations for many borrowers. You would think that paying off your biggest debt and closing your account would be a good thing - and it is. But, because of the five factors of credit we discussed in a previous article, this action could reflect poorly on your credit score because you chose to close the account. Depending on your situation, the account you closed could've been your oldest credit account with the highest credit limit, two major factors in calculating your score.
I maxed out my card, and even though I paid it off completely when I got my statement, my score still dropped.
By maxing out your card, your overall credit ratios were adjusted. And even though you paid it off, your statement reflects your current status. In other words, your credit report shows that your account is maxed out, even if you pay it off the next day. The best thing you could've done here was to pay your bill before your statement arrived.
I was only one day late on my payment but I still received a 30-day late on my credit report.
Unfortunately, your creditors do not distinguish the difference between one day and 30 days late. You must pay your monthly bills on time every time to avoid this penalty. Depending on which credit cards you have, you could suffer an additional penalty for being late on your credit card payments, even just one time. It's called the universal default clause, which could increase your interest rates on all your credit cards up to 28-30%, even if you're in good standing with your other accounts!
I paid off an old collection and my score dropped significantly.
While it might seem illogical or even unfair, sometimes paying off a collection account can actually cause more harm than good. Remember, credit scoring models typically lend more weight to your recent activity than to the mistakes you might've made in the past. By paying off this old account, you may have inadvertently added more weight to this mistake from the past by making this item current.
Don't be shy about asking for help when it comes to your credit score. Remember, your credit is the most valuable financial tool you have at your disposal. Feel free to contact us with any credit questions you may have.
Shawn Kaplan is an active & Licensed loan officer with Legacy Mutual Mortgage. Email Shawn at Shawn.Kaplan@LegacyMutual.com or a member of his team anytime for more information or a consultation!
(615) 426-3182
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