Dropping FICO score, nothing has changed???

[Holyoak]

I have read this has happened to a lot of folks, and I'm curious how, and especially why.  Absolutely nothing has changed since my 810-815 score a few years ago from various agency reports, to today's 795-798?  I still utilize maybe 5% of my CC limit paid off every month, no late bills, no credit checks, no dropped CC, nothing, yet it continues to drop?  I really find this odd, since my ex-wife cancelled all of the joint CC before divorce, and re-establishing credit 7 years ago took a hit on my score by virtue of little credit time, yet now with a lot more time it's lower, all other things equal???  I don't see any incorrect info on the reports, so that does not seem to be the issue.

I know the credit companies will not explain their black magic; just the same can anyone here explain how this happens, and how to get it up to where it was?  Thank you.

[Dicey]

Any chance that something aged off your report? The obvious one could be some form of long paid-off installment loan, such as a car.

Next, why do you care so much? Your current score is high enough for any purpose you might encounter. As a mustachian, what the hell are you planning to buy that it would possibly make a difference?

[nereo]

Anything over 720 and it doesn't matter from a practical standpoint.

A few things could have changed for you... as Dicey said something "aging off" your old cc, like a loan or mortgage debt.  Also, part of your score is based on how much of your available credit you use, so if your credit limits have increased but your spending hasn't that can (counterintuitively) lower your score by a few points - I've heard the credit agencies like it when you use 10-30% of your available credit each month, even if you pay it off in full, so using <5% of your available balance may be hurting you a bit.  You could call your cc companies and ask them to lower your limit by a few $k.

You can also lose some points if there's been a few hard inqueries - on your credit report how many times was your file pulled?  I've had that done by employers and when I applied for rewards programs.

You mentioned divorce - how many years ago did this happen?

Shrug - as I said, it doesn't matter - anything above ~720 will get you the best rates.

[Duke03]

Do you have a mortgage?  It's hard to crack the 800 score without one.  Also like already stated. A 795 to 810 is meaningless.  You will not get better rate, or even a free cookie.  That is why I churn credit cards.  It monetizes my good credit score and I'm actually able to make 10ks of thousands of dollars off it.....

[catccc]

I think I posted this same sort of thing a couple years ago.  Everyone told me to quit my worrying.  I kept worrying.  Now I see it's no biggie.  So don't worry about it.  Check that there isn't any fraudulent activity (ie, new inquiries or utilization you aren't responsible for?).  If there isn't any, move along, nothing there to see...

[rothwem]

FWIW, mine dropped about 15 points too recently.  I'm not totally sure why.  I went from 815 to 800-795 when I bought my most recent house, which sort of makes sense, but then about 6 months later it dropped another 15 points for no apparent reason to 780-785ish.  Not sure what's going on, I just don't want it to drop any further, it seems like most loans and such threshold at 760. 

I'm not overly concerned, though my emergency fund is somewhat dependent on springy debt and the springy-ness of the debt decreases as the rate goes up. 

[soccerluvof4]

Just guessing its from having more credit and using a lesser percentage as others have suggested.

[ender]

Mine regularly goes up/down 10-20 points.