Keeping an eye on your credit record is a good idea, but how should you do it?
There are more than 18 different ways to check your credit record! Which is confusing.
And in late 2023, things have become more difficult as MSE’s Credit Club is switching from reporting Experian data to using TransUnion data.
So what are your options now – and importantly what are the best free ways?
Contents
IMPORTANT – you do not have a single credit score
The three Credit Reference Agencies
It is a myth that everyone has a single credit score or that there is a central database with all your credit records on it.
You have three different ones. This is because there are three main Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs) in Britain:
- Experian;
- Equifax; and
- TransUnion.
Each CRA has a record of your data which has been sent to them by the lender. The biggest lenders like the banks report to all three, but many small lenders and utilities only report to one or two CRAs. And there may be errors on some data that only show on one CRA.
So your score can vary widely across the three CRAs as they have different data. So a report on your Experian file can look very different from a report on your Equifax file.
“I just want to check the best”
None of them are “better” or “more accurate”. They are just reporting on information from different lenders and have different errors. Ignore marketing hyp from CRAs or credit reports saying they are “the most trusted”.
If you want the full picture, you have to check all three CRAs.
If you don’t want to check all three every month – fine. Just use any of the free reports that you fancy. If you cant see some of your debts on there try another one – you want a report that shows all the debts you know about.
But do remember to check them all if you plan on applying for a mortgage in the next year. Or if you have been rejected for credit and you are surprised as you thought your credit score is good.
Checking your credit score and details for free
Tens of thousands of people are paying for expensive subscription reports when they can get the information they need without a monthly subscription.
Here are my suggested ways to get good, free credit score reporting “for free”.
These reports are paid for by lenders who pay to be included in the “exclusive offers”, “you are eligible for” or “you could be eligible for” recommendations. This is just advertising, it’s not a recommendation of the cheapest credit you can get.
Equifax
Use Clear Score
(other alternatives if you prefer the report are CredAbility and Finder.)
Experian
This is less straightforward (unless you are happy to pay a monthly subscription).
Here there are several options.
You can sign up for a free trial of Check My File or Experian’s Credit Expert and cancel it within 30 days. You can’t keep using this option.
You can get a copy of Experian’s Statutory Credit Report, see below. This is free and has all your data but no credit score. If you want to check a detail – has that default dropped off your record? – this works fine. But it’s an unfriendly report to check each month because with no headline credit score you can’t see at a glance if nothing has changed.
You can subscribe to Experian’s free account which gives your score monthly but no details of the debts. You may find this enough almost all of the time if the score is roughly what you expect. And if there is a drop that is worrying and unexpected (not just 10 or 20 points) you could then look into the details by getting Experian’s Statutory Credit Report or a free trial.
TransUnion
Use Credit Karma
(other alternatives if you prefer the report are MSE’s Credit Club and Totally Money.)
And each CRA offers a Statutory Credit Report
In the last few years I have seen people struggle with credit reports which look nice but which are often complicated and hard to find out details from.
Every CRA has to provide a statutory credit report that they are not allowed to charge for. These aren’t pretty but they are simple and clear. That’s very often better.
They are also real-time – you see the latest info the CRA has with no delay. And they are easy to download which many free reports aren’t. This makes them perfect if you want to keep a record or if you want to send a report to the Financial Ombudsman if you are making an affordability complaint.
The downside is the statutory credit reports do not have your credit score on them. This makes them a pain if all you want to do is see in one month if anything much has changed since the previous month.
The long list of credit reports and what they cover
| cost | CRA | |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory reports – no score | ||
| Equifax statutory report | free | Equifax |
| Experian statutory report | free | Experian |
| TransUnion statutory report | free | TransUnion |
| Only score – no details | ||
| Free Experian account | free | Experian |
| Free score & records | ||
| Clear Score | free | Equifax |
| CredAbility | free | Equifax |
| Finder | free | Equifax |
| Credit Karma | free | TransUnion |
| Credit Monitor | free | TransUnion |
| MSE's Credit Club | free | TransUnion* |
| Totally Money | free | TransUnion |
| Reports you have to pay for | ||
| Check My File | £14.99 | All 3 CRAs |
| Experian Credit Expert | £14.99 | Experian |
| Equifax Credit Report | £7.95 | Equifax |
| Credibble | £9.95 | Equifax |
| Credit Reports Matter | £19.95 | TransUnion |
| Scores Matter | £19.95 | TransUnion |
| UK Credit Ratings | £24.95 | TransUnion |
| Student Credit Checker | £24.95 | TransUnion |
| Credit Score Pro | £24.95 | TransUnion |
Notes:
Cost – the monthly charge after any free period which varies between 10 and 30 days. Many of these sites make a lot of money from people forgetting to cancel
* in November 2023 MSE Credit Club is still reporting on Experian data. This will soon change to TransUnion data.
I haven’t included some reports that aren’t being marketed anymore.
If you know a report that’s not on this list, please mention it in a comment below!
What about the extras?
Are real-time information or alerts worth paying for?
Credit ratings usually change fairly slowly. If you have closed an account, or started making payments to a new one, it takes a few weeks for the lender to update the records.
If you have just got a credit builder card or your bankruptcy has just ended and you are hoping your credit score will improve, come back in a few months!
Real-time information may sound nice but I don’t think it’s worth paying for. If you want to check something mid-month, you can always look at the free statutory credit report.
“We give you tips to improve your credit score”
Most of these are much the same on all reports. Pay your bills and debts on time. Use less of your credit card limit so your utilisation improves. Take out this horribly expensive credit card and if you are lucky your score will go up (they don’t quite use those words). Get yourself on the electoral roll.
If any of the reports are much better than the others, I haven’t noticed it.
“We help you resolve problems”
A lot of the reports make a big thing about helping you with disputes about your credit record. This is just marketing puff.
All they do is send your complaint to the CRA. Then the CRA sends your complaint to the creditor, who then usually tells the CRA it’s accurate and nothing happens.
So you have wasted time by going this route and got nowhere.
If you have a problem with your credit record, you need to complain to the creditor directly. Then you can go to the Financial Ombudsman if the creditor refuses to correct the record.
(There is one exception. If the creditor has gone bust and will no longer reply to your complaint, read Suppress a credit record that tells you what to do. But don’t try this with creditors who are still going! And the credit reports won’t help you with this.)
Smaller Credit Reference Agencies
I don’t think any of these are big enough to matter.
Updated in November 2023
How much will my score change if…
My credit score is up but affordability down!
Is your name in a fraud database?
john says
Hello Sara,
In 2018, I had a default ccj for a parking fine. As a matter of fact, I was not aware of the offence I committed and only came to know about it three months after the ccj reflected on my credit score when I tried to take a contract mobile phone and was informed my credit score was weak hence my application got rejected. I had changed my address and the mail from the court used to go to my old address. Cutting short, as I knew about it found out it parking eye and immediately paid the amount which was 197/-. After which I applied for satisfaction letter and received. My question being how can I remove this ccj from my record as I know it will remain for six years. Kindly advise
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Your only possibility is to apply to get the CCJ “set aside” by the court. This has a fee.
I suggest you talk to National Debtline on 0800 800 4000 about whether a set aside application has a chance of succeeding – the problems are that you have waited a long while to apply for it (it should have been made promptly, as soon as you found out about the CCJ) and that you have already paid it.
John says
Thanks for your advice Sara
steven says
Hi Sara,
I have been searching and searching and dont seem to be able to find an answer, my question is:-
My IVA completed early with a full and final settlement (I have certificate of completion), I am in the process of tidying up my credit file using your template letters to creditors. I have 2 CCJ which are included in my IVA and are showing as active – does the completion of my IVA now deem these CCJ as satisfied and if so can I get this changed on my credit file?
Any help is appreciated.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
This is the article that looks at cleaning up after an IVA: https://debtcamel.co.uk/repair-credit-record-iva/
steven says
“there will be no change for any CCJs even though they are in your IVA”
I have read elsewhere that I can get a CCJ changed to satisfied if its paid in full – does an IVA completion deem a CCJ as paid in full?
thanks for the fast replies
Sara (Debt Camel) says
No, not unless your IVA did pay 100p in the £ to your debts, which can happen but is unusual.
Shannon says
Hi,
I was working for an agency before I took maternity leave. I have decided not to return to work as my partners wage can support us however, his credit rating is very poor due to debts. He is now paying them off with a debt management plan and hasn’t got many payments left. Will this affect us getting a mortgage?
Many thanks!
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Yes it will.
Read https://debtcamel.co.uk/improve-credit-score-mortgage/ on the general situation of getting a mortgage when you have had credit problems and https://debtcamel.co.uk/improve-credit-score-mortgage/ which looks at DMP issues as these can affect his credit record in different ways and he needs to find out what has happened in case case.
Mary walsh says
Hi I enquired about any Iva did not take it out went with a remortgage instead.never missed a payment in my life credit history was very good . They company I enquired to about the Iva sent letters to my creditors which now has messed up all my credit history I spoke with than the send me a email but have not been very helpful. I can not ever get a credit card now . I don’t know which way to go to sort this
Sara (Debt Camel) says
How has your credit history been messed up if you have never missed a payment?
Tony says
Hi Sara, is there any way of getting an old credit report. I defaulted on Vanquis card some years ago. This has now gone off my record and does not even show on closed accounts. This is making it difficult to prove I was on token payments to Vanquis at a time I took out a loan. FOS is saying if I could find this information then they would be more likely to uphold complaint as this debt would have shown up in a search. This was August 2017
Sara (Debt Camel) says
No.
Your bank statements could show what you paid? or any old emails with Vanquis?
David Harley says
How long does a incorrect default take to clear? Scottish Power applied a default in error and have agreed to remove it, but I’m currently applying for a mortgage and need to know how long this will still show on my record. Thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Most firms update credit records once a month. So it can take up to a couple of months to go through, depending on how fast they move and when their next credit record update is. If you have an email from Scottish Power saying they will remove this, show this to your mortgage broker as it may help.
David Harley says
Thanks. I have asked for that. I received this, which isn’t as clear as I’d like.
“Thank you for your most recent email. We have sent off the request to have your credit default removed however we will not have a reply for the next few days. Once we have a reply confirming the next actions we will be back in touch. I hope this helps”
Second question. Once removed, will that immediately add 350 points to my score?
Side note: I have spent a good few hours on your site today and it’s been really helpful, so thank you!
Sara (Debt Camel) says
it sounds as though they aren’t quite sure how to do this :(
How much your credit score changes depends on what else if on there. But if you score was good apart from this then yes, it should jump.
But for a mortgage the actual level of the credit score matters less than what problems there are showing.
David Harley says
Thanks. I should be fine once this is clear. All loans and credit cards will be paid off with the sale of our current property and we should be left with a 20% deposit after all fees etc.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
ok so if you have levels of credit card utilisation your credit score may not get to be very good even without the default.
laura says
Hi a company that I have a CCJ against has another CCJ from someone else on their records. Is there a way to see who the other person is who has the CCJ against this company please?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Not that I know of.
D HOGAN says
Can i get a report on a ltd Company to cover a CCJ
Sara (Debt Camel) says
you can check if a company has a CCJ here: https://www.trustonline.org.uk/
Carol says
Would the debtor not get a warning before getting the CCJ? How can a debtor not be aware that he has CCJ?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
The papers may have gone to an old address.
David says
Afternoon, trying to sign up to one of the credit report services but I cannot provide 6 years worth of addresses. My current address is fine, my previous address has since been demolished and is not correct (turned from a house to a block of flats), and my previous address to that doesn’t appear on the drop down list, even though it’s still there. What can I do in this situation?
Many thanks for your assistance, David
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Contact the report and ask them? Which report is it?
David says
Credit Club. I haven’t tried the others yet, but I anticipate similar problems. I’ll look for an email address or, worst case, a phone number to try and talk to them about setting up an account. Thank you :)
Sara (Debt Camel) says
ok, one thing is to try and get the statutory reports direct from the CRAs. Links in the article above.
Martin says
Hi, I have arrears on a loan and althogh I pay more than the monthly amount but my credit record shows these as missed payents. Is this correct as seems unfair to me as paying over contractual amount and paying on time.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Missed payments are normally in months, so if you missed three months and then started making normal payments again the credit record would show 1,2,3,3,3…
If you start overpaying so you are only two months behind, this will then change to 1,2,3,3,3,2,2 etc
Jeanette says
I finished my IVA December 2019 and have only sent off copies of then to the three quoted in the the completion certification . I only held off as so much has happened this year. I applied and received a Capital one credit card to build up my credit rating. I have been denied by all others, do you have any idea how long it will take to re-build my credit rating?
Thank you in advance.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Read https://debtcamel.co.uk/repair-credit-record-iva/ which says what to do.
Rachel says
How do check got ccj without paying for a fee just want to see.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Any of the 3 statutory credit reports listed in the article above are free and will show CCJs.
Nigel says
One thing I don’t understand on credit file, is say you miss payments for 4 months on a loan , every month this should show missed, until you clear the arrears.
What if you then still pay your Monthley payments but don’t clear the arrears should this show Monthly payments made
What if you continue missing the payments should this show 2 miss payments to accurately reflect credit file one for arrers and one for miss payment.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
your credit record should record how many months in arrears you are. If you start the normal payments but don’t pay any more to the arrears, it will continue to sit at 4 months arrears. If you miss another month, the arrears should go to to 5 months.
James says
Hi sara,
Hope you have a wonderful new year when it comes. I noticed my credit file went down 245 points today after it was starting to increase well.
I am only using the free version just now and it doesn’t give much of a overview. Do you think its worthwhile paying a month’s full version in order to get a better view?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Is this Experian you are looking at?
James says
Hi Sara,
Spot on it was experian that went down by 245 points. Any ideas why the drop and if I should pay the one of fee to see if there is any mistakes? I have previously used the free month so I can’t get it again.
I also took the free trial of equifax and they did not have me down as on the voters role so I have raised that with them as I have been on the voters role for 10 years but supposedly there is a issue with councils updating due to covid?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
There is no point in paying for Experian’s expensive service. Have a look at MSE’s Credit Club – that’s free and reports on Experian’s data. That is normally sufficient – if that doesn’t show the problem you can get the Experian Statutory Credit Report. Links in article above.
Not being on electoral roll is pretty minor, see https://debtcamel.co.uk/credit-score-change/. That can’t be the reason your Experian score has dropped that much.
James says
Thanks Sara
Sam says
Hi there , I am needing a snapshot of my credit report from a few years back, for a complaint to the ombudsman, I can’t seem to go that far back on my credit reports is there a way of asking for a past credit report , from a few years back??
Weatherman says
Hi Sam
First of all I’d ask the credit reference agencies. You can try all three (Experian, Equifax, Transunion), as they might keep the data in slightly different ways that makes it easier or harder for them to get a snapshot. I think you’re more likely to have success if the date’s within the last six years.
If you want this info because it’s about e.g. your situation at the time you applied for a loan, the lender might also have it. They should disclose relevant info like this to the Ombudsman anyway if they are investigating, but you could also make a Subject Access Request and see if that brings anything up: https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/your-right-to-get-copies-of-your-data/
Camila tre says
Hi, I requested a credit card in my bank and it has been declined because I didn’t pass my credit score. I don’t understand why because I have money in the bank and I never had any debts. I tried to access a credit report but they asked for 3 years in the UK and I have been living here for the last 2 years only. Is there any way I can solve this? I am very worried as I would like to request a mortgage in 1 year. any help is more than welcome. Thank you very much!!!!
Weatherman says
Hi Camila
Because you’ve not been in the UK for long, you currently have a ‘thin’ credit file. Lenders in other countries don’t share information with UK credit reference agencies, which is annoying! So you need to ‘build’ your credit report, because at the moment potential lenders don’t know much about you, or how likely you are to repay. You can also get your credit report from the country you used to live in, and show that to lenders, which might help.
There is helpful advice on how you can build your credit report here: https://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/guides/building-credit.html
Unfortunately you might only be able to get more expensive credit at first – if lenders don’t know much about you, they might see you as a ‘higher risk’ so charge more interest. If that happens, make sure you manage the credit card etc carefully.
Although you couldn’t access your credit report, you might be able to get a Statutory Credit Report even with only 2 years of UK address history. This is free, and if there are any mistakes it’s important that you tell the credit reference agency. Each credit reference agency has its own – Experian’s here: https://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/statutory-report.html
Sarah says
I’ve been trying to rebuild my credit ratings so thought it best to check all 3 as I read they can all hold slightly different information. When checking my equifax score I’ve noticed that virgin mobile have been reporting account delinquent each month since 2013. It reports the balance I owe as £516 although I’ve never moved home or changed emails and I’ve had no bills for this. I was wondering if there’s anything I can do about this? Should delinquent accounts not disappear from you credit report after 7 years? Can they still default this 8 years after the original delinquency date? I’m so worried :-(
Sara (Debt Camel) says
So you do not believe you owe this money?
Sarah says
I had a mobile phone with Virgin back in 2008 but I had no knowledge of owing an outstanding amount. I’ve not received any bills from Virgin and was shocked that this has been reported monthly and been having a negative affect on my credit file since 2013.
Weatherman says
Hi Sarah
Start by contacting Virgin and asking what on earth is going on!
If you think they’ve made a mistake, complain to them in writing. If they don’t respond in 8 weeks, or reject the complaint, you can take it to an Ombudsman (there are two that Virgin might be part of – they will tell you which one).
If you realise you do owe that money, they might not ever have put a default notice on your credit report even though it’s marked as delinquent. Ask them to do so – the Information Commissioner’s Office says that this should usually be once payments have been reduced or missed for 3-6 months. Because the default notice will be more than six years old, it will stop showing on your credit report.
Katy says
For some reason, I have different reports from different sites: there is no one site which holds all the information about my borrowing – is there anything I can do about this? I have always updated my addresses with various credit accounts, and am on the electoral roll, but for some reason, my borrowing doesn’t show up anywhere correctly – even at Transunion. Is there any way to resolve this? I have tried writing to the companies trying to get this resolved, but it’s got me nowhere: they say to go on the electoral roll (I am, and have been for 30 years), and make sure my account details are all registered at the same address (they are) – but for some reason, things still aren’t connecting up.
It’s causing me issues: it has led to a CCJ being issued to me at an old address (even though lender had been informed of move, of new address, and the electoral roll updated) and as I didn’t find out about the CCJ for some months, and then it took me several further months to pay it in full, there’s nothing I can do to resolve this now- but I’d like it not to happen in the future, if possible: and also, of course, to have my credit records all in the same place, up to date, and the “good” things I am doing (like making monthly payments) recorded also.
Thanks so much for any suggestions – as I say, I know it won’t improve things until the CCJ finally drops off, but a) I don’t want any further issues and b) if I resolve it now, I won’t need to worry about it again!
Sara (Debt Camel) says
There is nothing you can do to get all your lenders to report to the same credit reference agency.
it has led to a CCJ being issued to me at an old address (even though lender had been informed of move, of new address, and the electoral roll updated)
who is the lender?
Katy says
It was originally JD Williams, who outsourced to Lowells (I’d also be let them know of two further changes of address). I emailed them to complain (Lowells Solicitors) and they claim this is standard tracing practice and they won’t do anything to correct it as a result.
Whilst I can accept address two could have shown up (despite removing myself from the electoral roll when I moved, and updating bank and credit cards, it’s still showing, two years later, at my current address with Experian – and tells me that I could improve my score by being on the electoral roll: even though I have been since I moved into my current address, sigh, two and a half years ago), they sent all the paperwork and summons to address one, despite having subsequently corresponded with me at address two. (It still wouldn’t have reached me, but it seems odd not to use the most recent address you have) They also only admit to receiving letters sent signed for, another issue – as I say, JD Williams and Lowells were kept informed of everyone change.
JD says not their responsibility, but won’t say whether the debt was sold, Lowells Solicitor won’t clarify their relationship with Lowells,, but tell me they’ll write to me themselves (haven’t so far) – and my address is still incorrect on Experian, despite it having records of one credit card registered to my current address, but apparently no way to fix this.
Anyway, thank you for clarifying for me that there’s nothing I can do to get them to correct the address issue: it’s appreciated!
If I can ever summon up the emotional energy, I will complain about Lowells solicitors to the SRA, I suppose, not thar it will solve the anything.
I am sure I’m not the only one, but I find it deeply distressing to revisit the debt years. But thank you, thank you, thank you for your support and help with this site – it helped me realise I am not alone.
David A says
Hello. I may have asked about this before but I’m having trouble with a Likely Loan from 2017 which I’m currently repaying at reduced rates due to financial difficulties experienced since 2018.
I queried why their comments on my credit report show “Late Payment”, when I am paying regularly and there was a period of at least 6 months initially where I didn’t make a payment at all until I made this arrangement with them. Id expect the credit report to show either defaulted or arrangement to pay but this is their response…
“Thank you for the customer query. Reviewing the account I can confirm the customer has been making regular payments, however these payments are reduced payments. This means the account is showing in arrears and these arrears will show as non-payments or late payments on the credit file. No further action required.”
Is this right please?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
If there was a period of more than 6 months when you did not make any payments, a default should have been added.
I queried why their comments on my credit report show “Late Payment”,
Did you ask Likely Loans or the credit reference agency?
Do you have other problem debts as well as this one?
David A says
This was via an agency. I have other debts that are defaulted under the same circumstances, yes.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Then I suggest you complain directly to Likely Loans.
JR says
Hi,
Does anyone have email addresses for all three credit reference agencies? I’ve a few disputes/complaints ongoing and I want to see about getting them suppressed ASAP due to a mortgage application very soon.
Thanks!
Sara (Debt Camel) says
See https://debtcamel.co.uk/correct-credit-records-lender-administration/ which explains how to do this.
BUT this will only work when the lender is not responding to the CRA eg it is late on in administration or the lender is liquidated. It won’t work just because you are disputing the debt I am afraid.
Tasha says
Hello.
I wrote to TransUnion last month about some errors on my credit file in relation to old pay day loans from elevate and wage day advance. I had this response today:
‘TransUnion is unable to amend an entry without the permission of the organisation responsible for supplying it and as a result, we cannot assist you further with this dispute. We would advise you to contact Elevate Credit International Limited directly in order to discuss this matter.
The disputed entry will remain suppressed from your credit report; however, please bear in mind that Elevate Credit International Limited can remove the suppression at any time.’
What does suppression on my credit report mean? Will it positively impact my credit file?
Thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Suppression means no lenders will be able to see the information – so far as I can tell it is as good as getting them deleted.
Elevate Credit has said it will not deal with CRAs any further, so that is not a concern.
Tasha says
Great. Ive had 4 emails altogether this morning from TransUnion in relation to Elevate (x2), Lending Stream and Wageday so in theory that should mean they are all ‘hidden’ eventually?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Lending Stream is NOT in administration and will respond to the CRAs.
Tasha says
Will I be able to still see these suppressed records on my credit file?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I don’t know.
I will ask someone who has done this.
Christina says
Hiya, I’m a real credit fanatic in terms of checking my scores, quite fascinated by it ( no life :). But there a few more decent ones that I’ve discovered. Some do have free 30 days and then charge but I find that depending on your requirements they are useful because they do give some really handy tips on credit education.
They are: credibble uses data from Equifax although I think they also calculate a bit of their own input because the score disparity between them and say clearscore is a good few hundred points.
Then there is myukcreditreport which uses TransUnion and really focus on credit education rather than being a broker. Then there is credAbility which uses Equifax and is definitely a broker but free. Then you have credit scores through your banking app. Halifax credit checker, NatWest credit score and Barclaycard credit too. These are free on their internet banking app.
Side note:
I don’t think creditwise exist any more and totally money I think give a real time update too.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Thank you!
I have added Credibble and credAbility.
myukcreditreport seems to be just different branding for UK Credit Ratings – and they are an outrageous amount to pay!
Christina says
Over all I agree with Sara, the most effective way to know a full picture of your credits financial health is to access the statutory report. And even to go as far as to print it off and map out a monthly tally of progress towards your optimum credit position.
An example is you can visually see the lender then if anything is incorrect then wrote down the lenders details on that area of your report and put notes about on going disputes and any outcomes or further action required until you get the final outcome desirable or not, then should there be on going action put reminders in your phone about dates where items should actually change even as far as a few years into the future in the case of CCj’s etc because you’ll notice that your score will alter ( should everything be maintained) quite dramatically at certain mile stones when you were least expecting it….
The aim is to understand that nothing on your report is irreversible but understanding it will give you a sense of confidence when you are ready to make financial commitments that help you to progress
Access to finance can be a hope or a hindrance ( if not understood) but it shouldn’t be daunting, so use the free resources until you feel as though things make sense and should you need to take it seriously then map it out ……using the other resources listed here……
Christina says
@Sara have you any threads on the notion of AI and algorithms of Credit applications?
I think it would be interesting to address the possibility that companies could actually be setting their algorithms to actually exclude/ include thier “ideal” client. I understand the widely accepted terms that companies have a risk factor to consider and it’s Thier “money” that they are lending but it’s also interesting that these AI settings are actually programmed to discriminate/ cherry pick. And this should be challenged.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
See https://debtcamel.co.uk/credit-records-scores-fit-for-purpose/
Also I am just writing a new article which you may be interested in. Look out for it!
James says
Hello,
I’m having trouble locating the dates of when my defaults were registered on Clear Score’s Exuifax and sites that use Experian – CreditKarma’s transunion seems to be the easiest to locate a defaulted date for an account.
I’m sure I’ve seen it mentioned that default dates can differ across different record checkers, with the majority of mine scheduled to drop off within a year on TransUnion, I’m keen to see what the others say but aren’t too helpful.
Any comments or suggestions would be much appreciated,
Thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I find the statutory credit reports are the clearest to see which accounts are defaulted and the default dates.
Louise says
Hello, I am about to start checking my credit reports after years of having payday loans. My only concern is that I have moved address a few times and had different loans at different addresses. Will this make any difference to my report if I search using my current address? Will the loans only show under past addresses of where I was at that time?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
When you sign up to check a report, you are asked for previous addresses so they can pull it all together.
Fred says
Hi Sara, I have just had my equifax account switched to the new myequifax layout,
It says I have missed payments and 4 loans. But I don’t have any missed payments and do not have 4 loans. I looked through all my account status and it doesn’t match.
I’ve sent them an email to enquire.
Do you know what the letters stand for after the company names?
For instance, Mail Order from FREEMANS (F) (I)
Sara (Debt Camel) says
is this the Equifax credit report you pay for? Or the statutory report?
Rachel says
Hi! I am looking to pay off my old debts, older than 6 years, by partial payment. I am worried these payments will show on my report, as I am not sure how to check that those old debts were reported as default at the time. I dont want them showing up on my report as I hope to apply for a mortgage soon. I have been paying them all via a payplan. Thanks!
Sara (Debt Camel) says
You need to look at your credit records with all three credit reference agencies to see which debts are still on there, and if they are, what the default dates are, as that will show you when they will drop off. See the article above which has links for how to get the Statutory Credit reports from each agency.
When you know that you will be in better position to plan what to do.
You could also ask the current creditors first to produce the CCA agreement for the debts if the debts were originally loans, credit cards or catalogues (not if they were overdrafts, utilities, mobiles etc). See https://debtcamel.co.uk/settlements-old-debts-cca/ for more about why this may be a good idea for you.
Graham says
I took out a credit card to boost my score and have it set so that the full amount is taken by direct debit when due.
However I see that my credit score has now gone down (by a huge jump).
My understanding was that if I payed the full amount due each time then it would raise my score – not drop it.
Are there any do’s and don’ts for using credit cards as this is not clear at all – and I am not particularly happy about it.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
read https://debtcamel.co.uk/credit-builder-cards/
Taking out any credit harms your credit score for a few months.
J Lawrie says
Hi I’ve noticed on my credit report that two closed accounts have my wrong date of birth. June instead of July. Both are defaults. I’m going to be remortgaging soon to pay off my outstanding nect. Will this affect it? Thanks
Sara (Debt Camel) says
You are remortgaging to pay off defaulted debts? Have you talked to a debt adviser about your options first? When your debts are unsecured you have a lot more options than you have left when you have swapped them for a mortgage – and with defaults you may not get a good mortgage rate. If you are looking at a second mortgage at a high rate, this is usually best avoided…
J Lawrire says
Hi Sara, I’m remortgaging as my current interest only ends soon and I don’t have the funds to repay. Or I would need to my home which I don’t want to do. I’ve got an approval in principle for outstanding mortgage balance and extra to pay off debts. I know the next step is to do a hard search. And it’s in checking my credit report in detail I found two closed default accounts have the wrong date of birth for me. I worried this may affect the remortgage.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I would hope they won’t make a difference. Especially as the debts have been repaid.
J Lawrie says
They’re not repaid yet. I would be using the funds I get to repay
Jane says
Hi
Will the 3 credit agencies tell me who my CCJ is with?
I didn’t even no I had 1 until I opened up a credit karma account !!
Sara (Debt Camel) says
no – the CRAs don’t have that information. See https://debtcamel.co.uk/unknown-ccj-credit-record/ and contact the court.
Harry says
Hello Sara,
I have noticed on my reports that there are ‘hard searches’! These are from when I used to try every company going for a loan.
Are they bad to have on your report? Can they easily be removed?
Thanks in advance.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
They suggest to other lenders that you are desperate and that other lenders have turned you down – not good! But they are usually ignored after 6-12 months. No way to get them removed.
N says
How do i get my credit report from 5 years ago for fos? It needs to be sent to them by monday
Sara (Debt Camel) says
You can’t, not unless you had one then and have kept it. FOS knows this.
Just send them a copy of your TransUnion statutory credit record – that is simpler to download than most reports.
But you have had several affordability complaints before – have you never been asked for this? If you have already sent them one, they should still have that. An older report is better as it will go back further than a report you now get.
Terry says
Hello Sara
Good, informative article.
With regard to the free statutory reports direct from the credit reference agencies.
Do you know if there is a limit (legal or otherwise) as to how often one is entitled to receive a statutory report from a CRA?
E.g. is one limited to a single request annually? Half yearly? Quarterly? Monthly?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I am not aware of any limit. I haven’t heard of anyone having a problem with this. Of course if you start making them daily that might be different!
Terry says
OK. Thanks.
Nigel says
On experien my credit score is 999
Credit karma 548
On clear score 505
I know there will be diffent but why’s my credit so good on experien on other 2 really bad
In last 2 years only thing I can see is 3 miss payments in a row to natiwondie and 3 before that.
I now have 0 debt
They only thing on all 3 websites says to do to improve is take out a credit card and pay on full which I will be doing
Which such huge diffrnce is there not a mistake somewhere?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Look at the debts listed on each of the reports. The chances are that there is some problem debt which is not chosing on Experian but is on the other two.
Re getting a credit builder car, read https://debtcamel.co.uk/credit-builder-cards/ for tips on getting this right.
Andrew S says
Hi Sara,
Just to double check, lenders of all kinds cannot see soft searches at all when they do a credit check? Just hard searches?
Worried about a comment I have had from a broker about the number of searches I may have had.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Is this a mortgage broker? Did he say that included soft searches? How many searches have you had?
Andrew says
Yes, was concerned about how many soft searches Id been using. Basically I’ve just been obsessing about whether I would get accepted. I’ve only got 1 hard search in the last year.
All the credit reference agency sites say soft searches aren’t visible?
I’m very confused.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Is your broker looking at a credit report you have provided them with? Or one they have accessed themselves?
Andrew says
I sent it to the broker
It’s one I’ve provided to them from Check my file. It has every soft search on.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Then you have to wonder how good your broker is… point out the soft searches aren’t visible to lenders.
Andrew says
Should that say:
Soft searches “aren’t” visible to lenders?
I might have to rethink using them as a broker if so
Thanks.
Andrew
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Oops sorry typo, yes “aren’t”
I will correct it so others aren’t confused
George says
I have a default that was registered by Equifax on my credit report December 2015. It was then registered by Experian in January 2016, and finally TransUnion but not until October 2017. Will this default stay on my credit report 6 years from December 2015 or October 2017. (At the time of writing it still shows on my credit report, so I’m thinking it’s unfortunately from the latter, 2017. Is this the case? Thank you!
Sara (Debt Camel) says
what credit report are you looking at? who is the creditor?
George says
I’m using Check My File – Creditor is Arrow Global (It was satisfied in 2019) from an old credit card. Thanks Sara
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Then you need to complain to Arrow that the same default date of December 2015 should be used by Experian and TransUnion. If this is done the debt should drop off now
George says
Thanks so much Sara, really appreciate the advice and the website.
A p says
Hi today I received an email stating a hard search has been added to my clear score account. Having checked the report it shows the hard search was in July 2021 so I’m wondering why would it appear on my score now/so late after. Its caused my credit score to go down and I’m aware these companies may not be reliable and I’ve checked my experian account which hasn’t changed but is yet to update. My equifax account however shows no hard search placed within the last 6months. This is very confusing and frustrating as I’m trying to build my score
Sara (Debt Camel) says
did you look for credit back in July 2021?
A p says
I had a car insurance policy with the company which ended on the 25th of July. I didn’t renew my insurance with them so I’m not sure why this has been added to my account. The creation account shows as settled in July 2021 on all my credit reports.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
then send them a complaint and ask them to remove it.
julie says
Hi Sara
I have just registered with Equifax and my credit score is 0. I’ve had quite a lot removed from my file after complaints have been upheld.
I’ve never used Equifax before, Just Transunion and Clearscore. Should I get InTouch with Equifax?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
do you have a current account with an overdraft showing on other reports?
julie says
I have a current account but not with an overdraft
Sara (Debt Camel) says
does it show on your other credit reports?
julie says
Yes, everything more or less matches other than a Lantern account. this is why I am confused as to why it would show as 0
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I think they haven’t linked you with your credit records. A bank statement should show on all credit reports as they report to all three credit reference agencies. I suggest you go to Equifax and give them details of your bank account and ask why the Equifax system is not finding it.
Barbara Smith says
We had years ago a CCJ served saying we owed the vendor , wr paid it in full and had to pay courts charges , I’ve just received a letter from link financial saying we have overpaid and asked for details of my Husband’s account to pay him back this money ? How can the vendor issue a CCJ against us when we had overpaid? This CCJ can send us nothing but trouble for our credit rating this is going back over 10yrs ago , have got the company’s name but no other details
Sara (Debt Camel) says
I am not sure what can be done now.
Simon says
Hi, Sorry if this has been asked before
How do I get my old credit reports?
I have clearscore, experian and transunion but non of these show past reports?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
You can’t, unless you had a paid subscription. But the current reports show a lot of details going back 6 years. So just take to copy of your current reports.
Danni says
Equifax is dodgy, there’s lots of misinformation on there to incriminate people and bring their scores right down to poor
Sara (Debt Camel) says
you need to challenge any incorrect information with the creditor, it’s a waste of time trying to get Equifax to correct it.
Mario says
I just checked my credit score and on it there’s something a bit weird. British Gas who never had put any amount info on my credit report, decided a few months back to start doing so. I find it a bit odd that after being with them for 10 years they decide to start doing it. OK, fine. Now when I checked on Clearscore and Credit Karma next to the British Gas entries it says disputed on Clearscore and query on Credit Karma. Not that it matters really, just finished a DRO so it’s probably not going to make any real difference to my credit worthiness. Should I be concerned or is it just part of the credit score mechanism?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
was a debt to BG included in your DRO?
Mario says
No, when I set up the DRO I was asked if it was to be included but the price of energy isn’t as crazy as it is at the moment and I didn’t owe them anything at the time.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Then whatever is going on with BG is nothing to do with the DRO. I suggest you wait a few months and see if it sorts itself out.
Fran says
Hi Sara,
I am having trouble with TransUnion. They have not marked a couple of my debts as settled wotg my DRO. Having contacted them, they said they want proof of when my DRO ended, but I don’t have this.
I dont know what I can do to settle this matter? DRO was 5 years ago and it is still very much affecting things. They have refused my copy of the DRO as proof as they said it doesn’t prove it wasn’t revoked. Do you have any information on what I can do please? Feel like I’ve been going round in circles with them for 12 months or more now.
Regards, a very desperate Fran!
Sara (Debt Camel) says
who are the creditors?
Fran says
Paypal and Halifax
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Complain to the creditors then, not to TransUnion.
if the creditor wants proof the DRO has ended, tell them to contact the Insolvency Service’s DRO team to get confirmation.
Fran says
Thank you. As I didn’t print the confirmation in time, I wasn’t sure how to get the confirmation. I’ll ask them to do this. Thanks for the advice.
Bella says
Hi Sara,
I am about to make a F&F settlement payment to close a debt, and they’ve informed me that my credit file will be updated to say “partially settled” (or similar); this isn’t ideal but I understand. However; the same account has a default against it that is due to expire in just 10 days. My understanding is that when a default expires after six years, all traces of that debt are also removed from my credit record.
My question to you is – if I settle this account with the agreed amount, will the “partially settled” note also drop off my credit file when the default drops off?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Yes. The debt will still disappear from your file 6 years after the default date
Andrew Clewley says
First response finance is taking me to court to make me hand back the car even though I have no arrears. The judge has adjourned the case while I submit a N440. My question is if the judge suspends the return and agrees to me continuing to make the repayments, will I get a CCJ?
Sara (Debt Camel) says
Why are they doing this?
Andrew Clewley says
I fell into arrears the end of 2022 and received a default notice Jan 2023 which I complied with and brought the account up to date Feb 2023. I made a few more payments on time and then fell a couple of months behind and contacted them to sort it, out. They told me the default notice was still in place and they wanted me to return the car or pay arrears by the 23rd of November, I bought it up to date the 30th but they had submitted the paper work on the 29th. I paid in December and January, and I will pay in February. They state that they have paid the money so will not stop the process. Apparently under sec 129 of they consumer credit act they have the right to cancel the agreement.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
they wanted me to return the car or pay arrears by the 23rd of November
what date did they tell you this?
Andrew Clewley says
The beginning of November.
Sara (Debt Camel) says
ok, I suggest you talk to National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 about the N440 – National Debtline are better placed to advise as they will have seen more cases. You can also ask ND your question about a CCJ if the order is suspended.
If the car is repossessed you may want to consider making an affordability complaint to reduce your loss.