 TITLE: Why Did My Credit Score Drop? CONTENT: You Have Late or Missing Payments\n---------------------------------\nYour payment history is the most important factor in your FICO® Score, the most widely used credit scoring model. It accounts for 35% of your score, and even one late or missed payment can have a negative impact. So, it's key to make sure you make all your payments on time.\nIf you are more than 30 days past due on a payment, credit issuers will report the delinquency to at least one of the three major credit bureaus, likely resulting in a drop in your score. Payments that become 60 or 90 days past due will have an even greater effect on your score..\nIf these delinquencies are not paid, the credit issuer may send your debt to a collection agency, and the collection account will be recorded on your credit report. Records of your late and missed payments remain in your credit file for seven years, while positive payment history on an open account can stay on file indefinitely (or 10 years if the account is closed in good standing). Be sure to make all your payments on time so the record of your strong credit behavior bolsters your score for years to come. END