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Credit file & ratings

Archives for February 2016

Awful Equifax score with no explaination
Hi, I've had an Equifax account (£15/month!) for some time now because I wanted to monitor my credit score after a period of hardship. Recently my score has dropped significantly with no explanation from them. I have asked why this has happened; originally they couldn't explain it but said that individual credit agencies…
Defaults on credit file: full and final settlement or partial?
Hi, I'd be grateful if anyone has suggestions or knows the intricacies of defaults on credit files. I have a series of defaults on my file. One was settled as a partial settlement and now reads "D" and "PS". The others are unsettled and read "D" and "D". I have been paying token payments to my creditors since defaulting.…
6 Months until default drops off
Hello, I've got 6 months until my now one and only default is due to drop off my credit file. Should I wait until it drops off before applying for mortgage or with only 6 months left will it not make too much of a difference? Any help would be great. Thanks
Challenging Default date for FlexAccount...
Hi all A few years ago I entered into a debt management plan supported by Stepchange after I was made redundant. The plan incorporated three debts I had at the time as follows: 1) nationwide bank loan, 2) nationwide flexaccount overdraft and 3) capital one credit card. All three of these were managed through the one DMP. I…
Credit card from your own bank or not?
Are you more likely to get accepted for a credit card from a bank that you currently bank with? I'm keen to get a credit card to improve my rating as I've never had one. I've got an ISA with Natwest and their soft search said I had a 9/10 chance of being accepted but there's an annual fee. HSBC on the other hand is where…
Unknown status
Hi I just checked my credit report and on a loan I had with the co-op i haven't paid it in about 3 years but on my credit report it says Unknown status what does that mean please
0 Credit Score for Bad Credit
Hi Im wondering if anyone can help. About 6 months ago I have a poor credit score (in the 300/400 range) - all of a sudden I am at 0................does anyone know why this would go to zero? I have made a few payment plans in order to start getting a grip on my finances which are all being paid off but why has it just…
Benificiary Trace Enquiry
Hello, :) I am a newbie Here so I apologize if this is an incorrect place to post . I have rather troubling entry in my credit file as detailed below , would appricite greatly if any one could help Hi, I Recently Thought of Getting My Credit Reports , On My Equifax Report there is a Search enquiry by Shop Direct Finance…
Improving credit score in 1-2 months
Hi guys I did something stupid. I repeatedly applied for a loan with both TSB and Lloyds and got turned down. I didn't realise this would impact my credit score! I've done it intermittently over the past few months to see if I could get one, and wasn't sure why they turned me down (though it's not surprising, but I got one…
Default dropped off but still paying debt off
Hello, I defaulted an account back in 2009 which was promptly moved on to a debt collection agency. Now I have been paying them for the last 7years with no issues. My question is this, the default for this account dropped off November 2015. Why has the account completely disappeared on my credit file? Now I have no…
Debt collection - Credit rating
Hello Forum, Last year I was having some billing problems with my elec/gas supplier, who forgot to bill for electricity for a few months. When they remembered, the agent promised it would be handled as a 'new' bill, rather than going through a debt collection agency - however, when the bill came, it was a demand from a…
Lowell Group
After recently getting s copy of my credit report, I noticed that Lovell Group had added two defaults to two seperate companys, when I wrote to them telling them I had no memory of the debts, they responded saying that the 'former' accounts were now closed due to a business decision and that my balance was now £0.00 what…
bank of ireland
does anyone know the data controller's address for the bank of ireland. i see plenty of addressess posted over the general web but not theirs. my iva started well over 6 years ago but they still have the wrong details such that it shows on all the credit files. does anyone aslo know a general template letter to send that…
Hard Credit Searches - 1 pre current/ previous address
I just signed up to Clear Score, and generally the score was good (I know this doesn't mean much)... I'm on electoral roll, have had accounts for many years, never defaulted a payment, etc. There were 2 negatives - 1 that my current utilisation % is quite high, although that should be coming down soon, as I paid 2k off my…
Better credit card debt ratio or reducing avaliable credit?
Dear All I am looking to balance transfer some of my debt.however my score is still very low.is it better to have more cards with better credit ratios or less avaliable credit to improve your score? Many thanks For replies in advance!
Help please!!!
I'm looking for some advice from anyone who can help. I was recently in contract with (a company). We moved home and wanted our services to be transfer to our new address as the didn't supply that area. The company could not provide our services to the new address and wanted to charge me a "disconnection fee". I argued the…
Am I responsible for a relative's debt?
Help please. I have been a customer with Virgin for over a decade now, with no problems whatsoever, I pay for my home phone, my broadband, my television and my two mobile phones by Direct Debit and I am not in debt to them. Two days ago I was told my mobile phone was ready to be upgraded and invited to choose a new phone,…
Should I cancel my sub-prime credit cards?
I was made bankrupt (BR) almost 6 years ago (its due to fall off my credit file next month) and to rebuild my credit post BR I got myself a Vanquis, Aqua and Capital One card. All were used occasionally simply for credit building purposes and all paid in full each month when used. Now almost 6 years on I have applied and…
Credit Search Types
I have been turned down for a mortgage agreement in principle. This was an online application - I can't work out whether it will show up to other searchers or whether it was just a 'soft search'. It shows up as an "Opt Out" type search on my Equifax page, but even after googling I'm not 100% sure what this means. The…
Unfair Default
Sorry for long post but need to get all the facts for the right help after just reading my credit file. In Feb 2012 Id lost my job and contacted Debt Management people to get help with my finances. One of my debts was a Halifax Overdraft, I contacted them to arrange a monthly agreement and was agreed they then wrote to me…

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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
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.

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