While it’s common for your credit score to fluctuate over time, if your score suddenly drops, it can be confusing — even alarming. When that happens, remember that your credit score doesn’t just change for no reason.
Some of the most common reasons behind credit score changes include high balances, a late payment, or if you’ve recently closed an account. Even one of these actions can cause big changes to your credit score, like being denied a loan or hit with higher interest rates. But what if your credit score drops and none of these reasons are to blame?
Could you be a victim of identity theft?
If there’s an unexplained drop in your credit score, you could be a victim of identity theft and not realize it until it’s too late. Criminals often open new accounts, apply for credit, and rack up charges using your social security number — then disappear without paying the bills.
This fraudulent activity can flood your report with inquiries, new debts, and missed payments, all of which start dropping your credit score fast and hurting your chances at getting approved for car loans, mortgages, or even a job.
Thieves can get your information from data breaches, phishing emails or scam calls, stolen mail, even fake websites designed to steal your login credentials. Worse, your information could be circulating on the dark web — especially if it was exposed in a large-scale breach.
If not caught and corrected quickly, identity theft can cause long-term financial harm that takes months or years to fully resolve. And the longer it goes unchallenged, the harder it is to undo.
Reporting identity theft, and getting your credit score back
Once criminals have your personal information, they can impersonate you financially — often without triggering alerts. That’s why identity theft can go undetected until a person is denied credit or notices unfamiliar activity on their report.
If you discover fraud in your credit report, it’s critical to act quickly. You can start by contacting credit bureaus to report the fraud and dispute any false information. But too often, consumers run into problems with the credit bureau — disputes are delayed, ignored, or denied without explanation.
When the credit bureaus fail to respond, or refuse to correct the damage, you don’t have to face it alone. An experienced FCRA attorney in Los Angeles, like Brennan Law, can help you enforce your rights, demand corrections, and hold credit reporting agencies accountable.
You have legal options. And with the right support, you can take back control of your credit and your peace of mind.