The credit score calculation is very complex and it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for a credit score drop. Since your credit score is based on information in your credit report, an unexpected decrease in your score can typically be traced to a change to the information in your credit report. And, it doesn’t have to be a big change for your credit score to fall. Here are a few possible reasons your credit score could drop. This happens because credit card issuers typically report the credit card balance as of the last day of the billing cycle. The balance on your credit card statement is often the balance that appears on your credit report. Though inquiries stay on your credit report for two years, they’re only factored into your credit score for one year. After just a single inquiry, your credit score should steadily increase and recover in 12 months, provided you make no other credit mistakes.

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