Can You Fall Behind With a High Credit Score?

Many Americans are struggling with credit cards and other debts, and may need debt relief. This includes a substantial number of borrowers you might not expect to have a hard time. Recent data from VantageScore, a credit scoring agency, found that some of the Americans with the highest credit scores are falling behind on credit payments. 

When you have good credit and don't pay your bills, this can do a lot of damage to your credit score. And unfortunately, when people with an excellent credit rating are struggling, it can point to bad news for the economy as a whole. 

Let's take a look at what the data shows, as well as what it means when people with good credit aren’t paying their bills on time. 

This article contains general information for educational use. Freedom Debt Relief isn't a credit repair organization and doesn't provide, or offer, services or advice to repair, modify, or improve your credit.

People with High Credit Scores Are Falling Behind

According to VantageScore data from July 2025, there has been a 109% year-over-year increase in people with superprime credit (typically, credit scores above 720) who are 90 or more days late on their debt payments. These borrowers are considered by lenders to be the lowest credit risk, so you would not necessarily expect this group to miss debt payments. 

Missed payments are also up in the prime credit group (the group just below super-prime, roughly similar to “good” credit), with a 47% year-over-year increase in those who are at least 90 days behind. VantageScore also identified an increase in late-stage delinquencies in auto loans and mortgages, with early-stage defaults increasing at a fast pace. 

Why Are People with High Credit Scores Struggling to Pay?

VantageScore doesn't provide details on why borrowers with high credit scores are struggling to pay. However, the credit scoring agency reports that it is often a sign of broader problems with the economy when mortgage and auto loan delinquencies increase, or when there is an increase in superprime borrowers falling behind on payments.

People with super-prime and prime credit could be struggling due to persistent high inflation, a cooling labor market, continued high interest rates, and tariffs that are making the import of foreign goods more expensive. 

What Happens When You Make a Late Payment with a High Credit Score?

Borrowers with good or excellent credit can face serious credit damage when they pay late. A high credit score usually indicates to lenders that a borrower can be trusted to pay back what they owe. A single late payment can be a major red flag that this is no longer the case.

A late payment made by someone with good credit often has much more impact on the borrower's credit score than a late payment made by someone with fair to bad credit. That's because lenders and the credit-scoring formula already factor in that someone with bad credit may be behind. Another late payment isn't an indicator of a change, and isn't a surprise.

When someone with excellent credit stops paying the bills, this is a sign they are facing financial hardship. Their previously solid payment history may not mean they'll pay on time in the future. Lenders may feel they can no longer be counted on, so the borrower who used to have good credit now presents a higher risk. 

What Should You Do If You Can't Pay the Bills? 

Regardless of whether your credit is excellent or poor, you should take swift action if you cannot pay your bills. Paying late can do more damage to your credit than other alternatives, and it can result in higher late fees or penalties. 

Instead of not making payments, everyone who is falling behind—and especially borrowers with good or excellent credit—should consider their options, including:

• Debt consolidation: Debt consolidation is often a good choice for people with high credit scores, especially if they act before their credit is damaged by missed payments. A high credit score can make it easier to qualify for a consolidation loan at an affordable rate. This can be used to repay multiple existing debts, which can sometimes result in one (possibly lower) monthly payment. 

• Debt refinancing: This is another good option for people with excellent credit. Refinancing involves applying for a new loan, ideally at a lower rate. Borrowers with a solid credit history have a better chance of qualifying for that new loan at favorable terms. This can reduce total repayment costs and monthly payments. 

• Credit counseling: A credit counselor could help you enter a debt management plan. A DMP can simplify the repayment process, and sometimes results in reduced fees or a lower interest rate. 

• Debt settlement: When you are deeply in debt and can't pay back all you owe, debt settlement could allow you to resolve your debts for less than the full balance due. While this does hurt your credit score, it might be a good alternative to bankruptcy if you don't have realistic prospects of paying off your debt in full. 

Exploring these options ASAP is far better than missing payments, especially if you have good credit, which tends to mean there are more doors open to you.