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Credit file & ratings

Discuss everything to do with credit checks and credit reference agencies.

What your credit score really means
Hi! This is the discussion thread for the What credit scores really mean guide. Click reply below to discuss. If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply. Thanks folks,
What your Credit Score really means - Please read first before posting about a credit score issue.
Hi all! This is the discussion thread for the What credit scores really mean guide. Well, what does your credit score really mean ?. By Martin If you've paid to get a credit score from one of the credit agencies, how reliable is it? We run through the truth about credit scores. I’ve just found out that my credit score has…
New to the Credit File & Ratings board? Start here
Useful links to MoneySavingExpert.com guides * Top tips to build your credit score * How to check your credit report for Free * Credit Club * Build your credit history * Student credit scoring * Should I get a loan if I have a bad credit score? 💡 If there's a link you think we should include here, please send me a message!
Betting company searches on credit file
My credit file shows a single soft search by Power Leisure Bookmakers Limited. The search has a sub-title of 'Anti Money Laundering'. I understand that betting companies undertake soft searches on some of their customers however, I am and never have been a customer. I'm assuming my details have been used in respect of a…
CCJ Nearly Six years old now getting contacted
I defaulted on a debit in 2013 due to marrige brekdown the debit was sold several times, and a ccj was placed on it in summer 2019, I moved house and went to my old house to collect post to find I now had a ccj. I didn't hear anything more so I did forget about it. I have now received a letter from Irden Capitol Services…
Default removal
Hi, has anyone had any success in getting a default removed from credit file?
Getting a Mortgage
Hi, I have recently been able to take advantage of taking one of my pensions early and have had a lump sum. I have put the majority of this into Premium Bonds as I want to buy a house in the future I have paid off some urgent bills I am in a DMP with Step Change and want to pay this off and am in process of getting…
Building a good credit history
My eldest is just about to finish uni, and wants to start building a credit history with a view of buying a house in 12-18 tt. They already have a job lined up. They need to take on their mobile phone from September, currently I pay £7.50pm via Tesco and they don't have higher aspirations for a mobile phone. They do have a…
Experian and my bank
Hello. I requested that Experian send me all of the data which they hold on me. Its possibly naive of me to have been surprised to see that each of my banks gives them a list of the monthly credits to my current account with them. Can I stop this from happening? I don't recall giving the bank(s) permission to do this and I…
List of credit card payments
A while ago I stumbled upon a page that showed a full list of all my credit card payments going back for quite some time. It was interesting but irrelevant at that time so I didn't note where it was. Now it would be REALLY useful to have that information in that format and of course I can't find it again - anyone have any…
DWP checks
Anyone answer this please.... I understand GOVERNMENT AGENCIES are allowed to see your personal Financial Records however I don't know how they access this information. I know there are CREDIT REFERENCE AGENCIES...do the DWP / HMRC access records from all of these agencies ?
Airbnb Situation :( Worrying!
Hello everybody :) Really hoping you can advise please on my situation and if this is likely to cause me issues down the line! I will try to keep the story brief as possible! Joined Airbnb and booked a one night stay for a parent's birthday. Unfortunately whilst there by accident one of my family spilled a pot of the…
Score dropped after recommended credit usage
Hi all, I'm pretty confused. I've had a credit card for a few years but have only just started using it in the last 2-3 months. It has a limit of £1k. I use it for most things and pay it off gradually throughout the month. I started using it to improve my score. Near the end of the month I make sure I have £100 on it - so…
Does your oldest account really make a difference to your credit score?
I've just moved current accounts again, and as a result I have added to my ever-increasing collection of credit cards. I now have 6, with a total credit limit of £20,000. I don't need that many (who does?!), and some need to go. I'm constantly advised by the likes of Credit Karma that a total limit of £15k is a good thing;…
Why Scammers (Often) Win: My Bank Holiday Nightmare Protecting My Identity (That Wasn't Even Stolen!
Hey everyone, Ever had that sinking feeling in your stomach when you realise you might have just handed over sensitive information to the wrong people? I had that dubious pleasure over the recent bank holiday weekend, and it’s left me convinced that scammers often have the upper hand, simply because protecting yourself is…
CCJ's and rights/help as a disabled person?
Hello, A basic summary of my situation is that I am Autistic, I have CCJ, I would like to move out of the city because its making me ill and Im worried the CCJ will put off landlords. I was never given the option for "breathing space" or any other help. Are there any grounds for applying for the CCJ to be removed/changed…
CIFAS SAR response 'issued' but how long to receive?
I filled in a SAR yesterday and am surprised to see that clicking into the status URL it seems to be ready, 'We have completed your request and have issued our response to you which you should receive within 5 business days.' I'm pretty sure they send the response via email, so how long does this actually take as I don't…
Moved: Son and CCJ for parking fine
This discussion has been moved.
Housekeeping for good credit
I saw a news story the other day about someone discovering someone had taken out finance in their name via some sort of identity theft. Lots of advice was to somehow 'lock' your credit score from being checked without permission. I don't really have the need to check my credit score - I have credit cards, they all get paid…
Credit Score
Hi I received an email to advise me that my latest report was available to view and advised me on how I could increase the score. It stated that I could register to vote which could increase my rating. I have checked and I am registered to vote, but I am not on the open register. The council has advised me that this will…
AMEX Missed Payment – Credit Report Flag
Hello, I'm currently remortgaging (due October) and have a flag on my account for 1 missed payment which i'm worried will impact my borrowing ability. Complete mistake, accidentally missed a payment by 6 days as I was going through a busy period with a new job role. Otherwise have never missed a payment, always pay in full…
CCJ appeared no idea about it
Hi I had an email this morning from ClearScore saying my scores gone down. Check it and there’s a CCJ on there which I’ve got no idea about. I’ve just broke down crying, I’ve had enough of everything. I’m having a tough time with my family life and my debt problems are bad enough as it is but I never expected a ccj, I…
2 missed payments for loan i knew nothing about.
I recently checked my credit report to find i had 2 late payment marks for a £17 unsecured loan i knew nothing about. This account was not on my report a few weeks before yet states its been open since August 2024 and the leave it till now to leave the 2 missed payment marks even though I haven’t paid anything for the…

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MSE News

Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payments this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.
Which NatWest and RBS branches are closing from 2025? Here's the full list – and banking alternatives
NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), which are both part of the NatWest Group, will shut at least 108 of their bank branches in 2025 and beyond, after the Group announced a further 52 NatWest closures.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
Winter Fuel Payments will be reinstated to all pensioners in England and Wales this winter – but will be clawed back automatically from those earning over £35,000 a year, the Government has confirmed. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis.
Car finance mis-selling update: regulator prepares for compensation scheme – and warns against using claims firms
Payouts for mis-sold car finance could be another step closer as the financial regulator has set out the factors it will consider if it were to introduce an industry-wide redress scheme – though we won't know more about how this will work until after a key Supreme Court decision expected in July. In the meantime, the regulator has warned that you DON'T need to sign up with a claims firm to be included.
Winter Fuel Payments to be extended to pensioners earning £35,000 or less – here's what we know so far
Winter Fuel Payments will be extended to all pensioners with incomes of £35,000 or less this winter, the Government has confirmed. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up.
Winter Fuel Payments extension confirmed for this winter – watch Martin Lewis' instant response and his message to the Chancellor
Winter Fuel Payments will be extended to more pensioners this winter – though not to everyone – the Chancellor has today confirmed. However, exact details of who will now qualify still remain scant. Watch MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis give his instant response, as well as his key message for Rachel Reeves.
Nationwide Fairer Share: Free £100 bonus confirmed for 2025 – here's who will get it
If you bank with Nationwide, you could get a free £100 paid into your account in June or July as part of the building society's 'Fairer Share' scheme. The bonus will be paid to millions of its current account customers who also have savings or a mortgage with it.
Forced onto a prepay energy meter? You may be due money back as 10,000s to be compensated
If you had an energy prepayment meter forcibly installed or your smart meter was remotely switched to prepay mode without your permission, you could be entitled to compensation of up to £1,000 and may even be eligible to have your energy debts written off.

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