Checking my credit file

raphanius
raphanius Posts: 1,338 Forumite
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in Credit file & ratings
Someone on a different thread on mse has recommended i use a credit reference agency to manage my debts,

Firstly i cant afford to pay for such a service. secondly i distrust free services because they may charge later or have some ulterior motive for giving away a service with a £15 a month value elsewhere iyswim

thirdly i have no idea what to do if i do join one. so far all ive ever known them for is a credit score number from one to whatever so i dont see how that will help with managing debt.

any help would be appreciated. im trying to manage my debts after leaving a debt management company,

tia
Wins: 2008: £606.10 2009: £806.24 2010: £713.47 2011: 328.32
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Comments

  • YorkshireBoy
    YorkshireBoy Posts: 31,541 Forumite
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    You're worrying unnecessarily. You can get all your credit reports for free, including exactly the same data you'd pay for (whether £2 or £14.99) from...

    Experian - via the MSE credit club
    Equifax - via www.clearscore.com
    CallCredit - via www.noddle.co.uk

    But don't think you can "manage my debts" via credit reference agencies. All you can do is check the data is accurate. They may give you some tips along the way though, such as...

    Your credit utilisation is high/low
    The average age of your accounts is good/bad
    You are only making minimum payments
    You have had too many credit searches in the last x months
    Etc

    Just don't get too hung up on the credit score...it's only an indicator of how they think lenders will view your credit file.
  • raphanius
    raphanius Posts: 1,338 Forumite
    Photogenic First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    The majority of it will be on your credit files, I suggest you obtain a copy from each of the three credit reference agencies first of all.
    from sourcrates a board guide
    Wins: 2008: £606.10 2009: £806.24 2010: £713.47 2011: 328.32
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 35,242 Forumite
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    Which is what YB just said.
  • raphanius
    raphanius Posts: 1,338 Forumite
    Photogenic First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    a credit reference agency cant tell me who my debtors are and how much i owe
    Wins: 2008: £606.10 2009: £806.24 2010: £713.47 2011: 328.32
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 35,242 Forumite
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    Yes they can. Although you will get a more up to date balance from the lenders directly.
  • YorkshireBoy
    YorkshireBoy Posts: 31,541 Forumite
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    raphanius wrote: »
    from sourcrates a board guide
    That response was given following your statement that "we have no idea who we owe what to".

    As you were told on that thread, there are free debt charities that can help. Why the reluctance to use them and go it alone instead?
  • YorkshireBoy
    YorkshireBoy Posts: 31,541 Forumite
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    raphanius wrote: »
    a credit reference agency cant tell me who my debtors are and how much i owe
    That statement shows perfectly why you should use a debt charity!

    And they're your creditors, not debtors. They don't owe you money!
  • raphanius
    raphanius Posts: 1,338 Forumite
    Photogenic First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited 16 June 2017 at 8:32PM
    because they need a statement of affairs and i havent had time to prepare one. i had to leave eurodebt because they didnt believe my outgoings are higher than my incoming wage so im reluctant to go to another agency, ive been with eurodebt for 15 years many of the debts are so old i have no paperwork for them

    and as you can see from my mistake i have no ability when it comes to money

    plus step change need names and account numbers
    Wins: 2008: £606.10 2009: £806.24 2010: £713.47 2011: 328.32
  • YorkshireBoy
    YorkshireBoy Posts: 31,541 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary
    raphanius wrote: »
    because they need a statement of affairs and i havent had time to prepare one. i had to leave eurodebt because they didnt believe my outgoings are higher than my incoming wage so im reluctant to go to another agency, ive been with eurodebt for 15 years many of the debts are so old i have no paperwork for them

    and as you can see from my mistake i have no ability when it comes to money

    plus step change need names and account numbers
    So are you going to obtain the free copies as per the info/links I provided above or not?

    I've never been in your situation, but institution (from your credit report) and residential address (from memory!) at the time is all you/they need surely?
  • raphanius
    raphanius Posts: 1,338 Forumite
    Photogenic First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    i got to page three and noddle asked for my card details.
    Wins: 2008: £606.10 2009: £806.24 2010: £713.47 2011: 328.32
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