economy

January 14, 2026

More Americans expect to miss a debt payment in the months ahead: What that does to your credit score

One missed payment could ding a credit score by about 80 points, on average, according to a new report by LendingTree.

More Americans expect to miss a debt payment in the months ahead: What that does to your credit score

TL;DR

  • Americans' perceived probability of missing a minimum debt payment is at its highest since April 2020.
  • The increase in payment worry is most significant among older adults, those without a college degree, and those with lower household incomes.
  • A single missed payment can lower a credit score by an average of 80 points.
  • Consumers with one missed payment have an average credit score of 553, compared to those with perfect payment histories.
  • The impact of a missed payment is more severe for individuals with higher credit scores.
  • Borrowers can potentially avoid credit score damage by contacting lenders early to arrange payment breaks or modifications.

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