Falling behind on your car payments? You're not alone

KEY POINTS

The number of U.S. consumers with the best credit scores making late payments doubled in the last year

U.S. consumer debt has been rising steadily, now nearly $18.4 trillion

Overall U.S. credit scores are dropping and an increasing number of households could be facing delinquencies

U.S. consumers who occupy the top tier of credit worthiness are falling behind on payments at double the rate they were this time last year, according to a new report from a leading credit scoring company.

The number of super prime consumers with credit scores in the 781-850 range who are more than 90 days behind on debt repayments is up 109% over this time last year, according to VantageScore tracking. Those in the prime credit score range of 661-780 who are more than 90 days in arrears on pay