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Credit file & ratings

Archives for June 2016

Credit account default?
Good evening all, Newbie to the site, so please forgive me if this has been asked umpteen times already. I am seeking advice to a credit account on my profile (HSBC credit card), it was in default and being paid off on a management plan, however the balance was paid in full in December 2015. It is still showing as in…
Closing credit cards
Hi all I've been reading martin's recent post about closing credit cards and can't decide the best course of action! I've just opened an mbna card with a limit of £5600 and transfer balances totalling about £4000. I have a barclaycard with a limit of £4000 which now has no outstanding balance and a lloyds with a limit of…
Unclear how to improve my rating
Ok so I had problems in the past due to divorce in 2011 and I ended up in a DMP which finished in 2014. I have no debt but I still have 3 defaults until next year. My rating has not improved since I paid the DMP. Not sure if I can do anything or wait until the defaults come off next year. I don't want credit just a decent…
Data Older than 6 Years on my Credit Record
Hi, I've recently discovered that my understanding of the 6 year rule wasn't quite right. I'd assumed all data older than 6 years disappears. In my case, this appears not to be true. The anomaly, if it is such a thing, is on accounts that I have closed within 6 years standard time frame. On these, 6 years of data prior to…
DMP & Letting Agent Credit Checks
Sorry to ask this again, I know it's been answered in the past but I'm just after an up-to-date clarification. We are two years into a DMP so inevitably have a number of defaults and poor credit ratings. Due to family illness we need to move house. We will need to rent and will more than likely use an agent. Is it still…
utility providers
I see that when I was with EON they reported my payments to CRAs but currently I am with Npower and they don't. I assume the more good payment recorded on my file the better for my score. Is there a database somewhere that shows which companies do report payments to CRAs? If so this might be a consideration when switching…
Should lease car be on credit report?
In April I took out a 2 year lease deal for a car The dealership told me I would be credit checked I have since registered with Clearscore and the car lease is not listed anywhere on my report. Should it be? I thought as it's a type of finance it would be
CRAs - the root of most junk mail?
A while ago I received an invitation from Standard Life to buy an insurance product. From the invitation it was clear that this company, whom I have never had any dealings with, knew quite a bit about me. I commenced an investigation as to how they found out about me, given that I religiously do not consent to data about…
Credit Searches on Profile
My Clearscore profile has just updated and while going through the usual I noticed that there were credit searches by Capital One (June) and RBS (May & June), neither of which I made. I'm 100% certain I've not visited the Capital One site let alone make an application of credit (last thing I want at the moment), who do I…
Electoral register at linked address
My address is .... Cottage on the electoral register but down as 7 (Streetname) with all of my banks and other finances. This has caused the credit rating agencies to either have me not registered on the electoral register, or registered on the electoral register at a "linked address". I rang Experian and they have sorted…
Charge cards and credit rating
I recently got an American Express charge card, and I plan to make it my primary spending card to benefit from membership rewards. Since it's a charge card, it doesn't come with a monthly credit limit: are there any "rules" about using those cards effectively if you're concerned about building or keeping your credit score?…
Delinquent Account vs Default
Hello, Just wondering if I could get some advice from people in the know.. apologies if this has been answered elsewhere, but I could't find a post on it using search. I have recently got a historic CCJ removed from my file that was incorrectly listed. I had never realised that as it was settled within 30 days it should…
credit report repeatedly shows 6 late payments
Please can someone help me as I can't seem to get an answer to this. Back in 2010 I had some significant financial issues due to being made redundant and to a degree burying my head in the sand. I managed most of it but one credit card I didn't pay, it ended up being sold to hilsden securities. I have recently checked my…
Lowells and satisfaction date
Hi Apologies if this post has been previously posted but I could not find my exact circumstances. we are working with a mortgage broker to try and get a mortgage. my credit file is fine, no problems, but my partner has 3 defaults two of which have no satisfaction date although Experian stated that the are all settled and…
pay off loan or credit card balance
Hello, My friend has a poor credit score. She already has a some credit cards as well as a personal loan with fixed monthly installments which is about to finish in next 6 months. So my question is, what will help her more to improve her credit score ? Paying the balance on the credit cards first and then the loan in next…
credit card causes score drop
I have never taken much notice of credit scores as I have no need of credit but a friend showed me Noddle and out of curiosity I signed up. It transpired that not being in debt and not having a credit card meant that my credit file was considered 'thin'. So I applied for a card. Got it. Used it. Paid in full. Then my score…
Mortgage Success with bad credit history??
Hey all, I wondered if there were many people on here who could report back mortgage success stories with a poor credit history? It would be great to hear your circumstances and what banks accepted you. I'm hoping to apply for a mortgage with my partner who has a poor credit history (some previous mortgage arrears and a…
Failed identity check - credit check
I signed up to a car rental service, and they tried to verify my identity through my name, debit card details and address. This failed for some reason maybe due to ne putting Alex instead of Alexandra. Unaware that they would check my address and identity through experian (this is what i was told they did) i just wanted to…
debts-early settlement
I have quite a few debts scattered left right and centre i occasionally get early settlement letters from companies but usually they are stupid amounts like dear mr xxxxx you owe us 5500 can you settle the balance and we will take 4800 etc Had anyone had much sucess of contacting companies direct too get early settlement…
Capital One credit searches
Hi, I have just been going through my clearscore report and have found that Capital One have done 8 credit searches on me between 24th November 2015 and 20th June 2016. I have never applied for anything from capital one or anyone else for that matter as we have been on a DMP for the last few years which we have now paid…

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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
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Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
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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.
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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.
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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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