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Credit Ratings

There is a lot talked about credit ratings on the Internet but it can be very confusing and sometimes even wrong!

If you can't make the proper payments to your debts, your credit rating will suffer. But different debt options affect your credit score in different ways, so I've written these articles looking at the details of each situation.

And most importantly, when will your credit rating improve and what can you do to help this.

See The top ways to check your credit records for details.

Identity theft – what you need to do

This article grew out of a reader's question. Mrs J, asked: Since February my husband has started to receive letters from WageDay Advance, Satsuma and QuickQuid saying that he has loans with them that need repaying. He doesn’t have any loans. We have sent Prove It letters to all three. We have now had letters saying that WageDay Advance and QuickQuid have passed the account to debt … [Read more...]

August 8, 2018 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: A reader asks, Credit ratings

Mortgage repossession and your credit record

A reader, Mr D, asked: I had a mortgage shortfall from 2006 after my house was repossessed by Natwest. As a mortgage shortfall stays on file for 12 years, I decided to make a Full and Final settlement offer in January this year which they accepted and which has now been paid. Now with both Equifax and Experian, the account has disappeared, it doesn't appear in my open or closed accounts. … [Read more...]

July 20, 2018 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: A reader asks, Credit ratings, Mortgages

LOQBOX – how saving can improve your credit score

LOQBOX is a clever product that can help improve your credit score as you save regular amounts of money. And there are no fees at all. Which sounds good, doesn't it! I'm tired of suggesting that people with poor credit scores should get a "bad credit card", use it each month and repay it in full each month. That works work well if you can stick to the plan... but one 24 year old I was talking … [Read more...]

February 9, 2018 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: Credit ratings

How to add a Notice of Correction to a credit record – and is it worth it?

Finding something negative on your credit record is bad enough - but it feels a lot worse if you think it is wrong or unreasonable. You have the legal right under the Consumer Credit Act to add a "Notice of Correction" to your credit report if you feel something is misleading or you want to provide an explanation. What is a Notice of Correction? A Notice of Correction is something you … [Read more...]

September 12, 2017 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: Credit ratings

Can I get another car after VT or is part exchange better?

A reader asked: I want to terminate my PCP car finance. The car's fine, good condition, but we now need a bigger car. According to my contract I can hand it back. But I am going to need to get another car, so I am worried this will harm my good credit record. Would part exchange be better? Your right to end a PCP contract early Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) is the most common way to buy … [Read more...]

June 1, 2017 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: A reader asks, cars, Credit ratings

How F&F settlements affect credit ratings

A reader has asked how Full & Final settlements (F&Fs) would affect her credit rating which is currently looking good as her debts were all defaulted and have dropped off her credit record. A full and final settlement happens when a creditor agrees to accept an amount which is less than the total owed to settle a debt and agrees that the borrower will not be pursued for the remainder.  … [Read more...]

February 24, 2017 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: Credit ratings, Full & Final settlements

What is the difference between “settled” and “satisfied” on a credit report?

A reader asked: My Credit Karma report shows some settled debts but one is shown as satisfied.  I am sure I paid them all off in full. Does it make a difference and should I ask for this to be changed?  … [Read more...]

December 8, 2016 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: A reader asks, Credit ratings, Defaults

Paying BadDebtor won’t help your credit record

A reader who had gone bankrupt recently was surprised to get a letter from "The Register of Bad Debtors". This offered to remove her name from their records if she pays them £49.95. She asked if BadDebtor can really do this? There are also reports that people with IVAs are receiving similar letters. In 2017 the Bad Debtor website was taken down. Before that, some people I had contacted - none … [Read more...]

August 15, 2016 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: Credit ratings, General news & policy

Unknown debts on your credit file

A reader asked: I have recently signed up to Experian and Equifax. Experian's is what I was expecting to see but Equifax's has debts that I have no recollection of. I have taken this up with Equifax and all but two of the companies have responded by saying that the debt stands, please get in touch to discuss. Equifax say that they can’t remove anything from my report unless these companies give … [Read more...]

October 20, 2015 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: Credit ratings

Bankruptcy, IVA, DRO & your credit rating

If your debts are so bad that you are going to have to choose one of the three types of insolvency, you know this will wreck your credit rating, but how long will this continue? This article answers this and other you may have about the effect of insolvency on your credit record such as Will you ever be able to get credit again? What about a mortgage? Is bankruptcy worse than an IVA or a DRO for … [Read more...]

September 1, 2015 Author: Sara Williams Tagged With: Bankruptcy, Credit ratings, DRO, IVA, Mortgages

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