How much does a collection lower your credit score?

A new collection can lower your credit score by anywhere from a few dozen points to over 100 — the higher your score was, the bigger the fall. Newer scoring models (FICO 9, VantageScore 4.0) ignore paid collections and weigh medical collections less, but the widely used FICO 8 still counts them.

Short answer: A collection can lower a credit score by many points, especially if it is recent, unpaid, or added to an otherwise clean file. The exact impact depends on the scoring model, age, balance, and your broader profile. If the collection is inaccurate or blocking a mortgage, start with a Credit Diagnosis and review Collection Removal Credit Repair.

Why the range is so wide

Damage depends on your starting score, how recent the collection is, the scoring model the lender uses, and whether it's paid. A pristine 780 file can drop 100+ points; a already-low file falls less. Recency matters — impact fades over time even before the item ages off (up to 7 years).

What you can do

If the collection is inaccurate or unverifiable, it's disputable under the FCRA. If it's legitimate, paying it can help under newer models, and goodwill or pay-for-delete arrangements may remove it. Pinnacle audits collections forensically — fixed fee, charged after work; results vary, and accurate items can't be removed.

FAQ

How many points does a collection drop your score?

Anywhere from a few dozen to over 100 points, depending on your starting score, the collection's recency, the scoring model, and whether it's paid. Higher scores fall more.

Do collections hurt your score if they're paid?

Under newer models (FICO 9, VantageScore 4.0) paid collections are ignored, but FICO 8 - still common in mortgages - counts them. So a paid collection can still hurt with some lenders.

Do medical collections affect your score?

Less than they used to. Recent scoring models and reporting changes treat medical collections more leniently, and many smaller medical collections no longer appear.

How long does a collection stay on your report?

Generally up to seven years from the original delinquency date, though its score impact lessens over time.