Why did Equifax Credit Score Drop 9 Points For No Reason/TransUnion Stayed stable

[Anonymous]

Hi there:

I check my credit score weekly on Credit Karma and today the Equifax dropped 9 points and TransUnion stayed stable.

I have good credit both were over 720 before the situation I experienced today.

I have not opened/or closed any accounts.  Credit Card usage is never more than 1-2 percent a month and paid in full on time.

Car payment is paid on-time and more than the amount requested.

Two credit cards are paid on time in full always.

I have not applied for any loans and the last late payment was 4 years ago.

I rent and there is no mortgage.

What do you think transpired?  This has never happened, as the TransUnion and Equifax scores are normally equal or within two points and every time I log onto Credit Karma the score is either stable or going up.

Obviously this is upsetting and am curious as to what your inclination is.

Thank you for your help,

UCW

[Anonymous]

First, a CK score is a VS score (not a FICO score) so it's unmeaningful and shouldn't be worried about.  Whether it's a 9 point drop or a 90 point drop shouldn't cause you to lose any sleep.

That being said, if any credit score (even an unmeaningful VS one) changes it's for a reason... so you can't say "for no reason..."  I have no idea what the reason is, but it means that something definitely changed on your credit report.  All you can do here is compare your CR both before and after and try to identify the change.  Again though, if the change is impacting a VS score it really isn't worth worrying about.

[601flyguy]

I wouldn't pay it any attention... I remember CK reported 100 point drop when my address changed while fico scores didn't change at all.

[Anonymous]

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I wouldn't pay it any attention... I remember CK reported 100 point drop when my address changed while fico scores didn't change at all.

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I highly doubt that.  An address change has no bearing at all on a FICO score and while I know very little about VS 3.0 it would be incredibly shocking to me if address changes were seen as score-changing events by the algorithm.

The more likely scenario here is that something changed on your file which caused the score change, but it wasn't an alertable event.  The address change was in fact an alertable event, so you received an alert for the address change and were provided with a new score at that time.  You then understandably but incorrectly assumed that the score change was related to your address change, when in fact it was due to something else completely.

[601flyguy]

I researched after the drop and learned what you are saying. The address change didnt cause the score drop, but nothing else caused it either. There have been no changes to my profile in over a year, besides an address change. My score definitely dropped though. I believe the points came back the next update, i can't remember what reason it gave. Im leaning towards some type of glitch with CK.
I'm assuming OP is experiencing some type of glitch as well. I wouldn't worry about it. Dont rely on what CK says your scores are, just use them just for a snapshot of your accounts.

[FireMedic1]

Click on either one of the scores. The page will load and it has a section "Credit Changes" and usually has a reason why. Like AJC says CK scores are useless. Only good to watch changes for free on reporting dates, amounts, and other issues that may pop up.

[Anonymous]

Hi FireMedic1:

Thank you for a tangible reply.

I followed your advice and on the Equifax portion of Credit Karma's page when clicking on Credit Changes it showed a credit card that was closed about 7 years ago came off the report.  That was the only difference between TransUnion and Equifax for the last update.

Maybe that was the culprite.  If so it would be a shame regardless of it not being FICO that there is any negative trend when all bills are paid on time and the credit card usage is low and paid 100 percent monthly.

Have a great day!!

[Anonymous]

Thank you for reply and information.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous

I followed your advice and on the Equifax portion of Credit Karma's page when clicking on Credit Changes it showed a credit card that was closed about 7 years ago came off the report.  That was the only difference between TransUnion and Equifax for the last update.

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An account dropping off can have a negative impact on your credit score in one or more ways.  One, it may lower your AAoA.  Two, it could lower your AoOA if that account that dropped off was your oldest.  Three, it could cause you to move from a non-thin file to a thin file if you only have a few open accounts on your CR. 

[Anonymous]

Thank  you for the info about the Average Age Of Credit.

While it is not FICO, any model would upset me if there is a downward rating when the bills are paid on time and in full as well as the usage of the cards being 1-2 percent.

If something closed seven years ago was the issue there is nothing I could do about that so far removed from yesteryear.

Your insight and articuation is appreciated.

Have a great and safe day.

Work time for me!