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Crazy?...

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Anonymous
Not applicable

Crazy?...

I just paid off my American Express card. The balance was $ 1001.00. It is now 0. I received an ALERT from Experian, saying just that: My balance dropped from $ 1001.00 to ZERO, and, they dropped my credit score by 3 points!!!!!!

 

Wait what? Lol. I don't get it. Can anyone here please explain why paying off my balance of over $ 1000.00 to 0 has Experian drop my FICO score? Thanks.

Message 1 of 5
4 REPLIES 4
TheConductor
Established Contributor

Re: Crazy?...

High utilization of your total available credit is bad for your score, but so is zero utilization.  For the optimal score, you want to let a small balance report.  

 

If paying off that Amex left all of your accounts at zero balance on your report, that is the likely reason for the small score drop.

 

Starting: EQ 622 (myFICO 7/7/12), EX 696 (TU FAKO 8/14/12), TU 621 (CK TransRisk 7/24/12), Total CL $1k on 2 TLs
Current: EQ 709 (CCT 2/4/15), EX 704 (CCT 2/4/15) , TU 702 (CCT 2/4/15), Total CL $110.3k on 14 TLs Goal: 740+ x3
My Wallet: Amex BCP $30k, Chase United Explorer $16k, Amex SPG $13.5k, Barclaycard Ring MC $12.5k, Chase CSP VS $12.2k, Discover it $10.5k, C1 Venture VS $6.5k, Chase Slate $3.5k, Amex Hilton Surpass $2k, Barclaycard Apple V $2k, Chase Freedom V $1100, BoA Cash Rewards V $500, Citi BestBuy $500
My Loans: Prosper $25k/36mo, Prosper $17k/36mo
My Business: Chase Ink VS $5k, Amex BRG NPSL (> 10k),
Message 2 of 5
RobertEG
Legendary Contributor

Re: Crazy?...

Is the account open or closed?

Message 3 of 5
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Crazy?...

Its open.

 

Message 4 of 5
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Crazy?...

Ok, thanks. Tomorrow I am going to buy something....anything...on my American Express Card....lol....seriously....25.00 here I come!

 

Message 5 of 5
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