We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More » This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Credit file & ratings

Archives for December 2018

Mortgage offer now credit score is down?
Hi. We got our full mortgage offer from Halifax last week. Took 3-4 weeks. Im a very negative person so ive always been expecting something to go wrong Checked my credit score this morning on experian and my score has went down 41 points. Ive used 100 credit last month but paid £200 off. Only diffrence is hard searches…
Equifax credit record
Equifax credit report summary shows all green (say electoral roll etc.) on the left column except the credit records is Red, I was on debt management and that shows the list of settled accounts. Is this Red because I was on debt management? I understood that any defaults before 6yrs will be deleted but this Equifax shows…
Credit Club Not Updating
I'm a member of the MSE Credit Club. My last update was 27 Nov 18, and next update due 27 Dec 18. Its still not updated - any ideas why?
Who is my 'Credit File default notice' dispute with?
My family and I moved to Australia in September, 2015 for a work contract. While in Australia I was contacted by my mother in-law to tell me that a letter had arrived from LINK Finance regarding an unpaid debt of £133. I had contacted Co-Operative Bank numerous times about the account. I was told the account was closed…
Debt on my file - not mine
Some context: I turned 18 a few weeks ago and had some savings I need to put in a new account. Every bank now needs a credit report, and at this point I don't have one. I requested a statutory one from Equifax who gave me the report. Everything looks great, once I'm on the electoral roll and this shows that should make…
To reduce debt/borrowing or not to reduce debt/borrowing
Hi: I am unsure if I have written this post in the correct place alas here seems as good as any: I am finding my credit score a little difficult to fathom and have read several posts on here which provide lots of information but it seems to be conflicting. My personal circumstances are as such: I privately rent and have no…
Credit Score
Hi I am in the process of buying a house with my girlfriend, we have had the mortgage offer and the bank have checked the house over and are happy to lend to us what we want. I would like to get a joint bank account for bills only will this effect our credit scores as I am unsure if the credit check would have been done on…
Equifax electoral roll
Checked mine and my wife's credit file on Equifax this morning and it is showing not registered at our current address. Last time I checked it was fine. The other CRA's are showing correct information. Anyone able to check their Equifax report today and see if they have the issue as well? This was via the free version on…
Overdraft to help credit file?
Hey guys, Iv been rebuilding my credit rating over the last 12 months so I can finally get on the property ladder. The bank gave finanlly offered me a the chance of a overdraft starting at £100. Am I wise to take to take this to help improve further, or is it not worth it. Thanks.
Default notice help
Hi. How do I find out when a default notice was first issued? I've looked on the 3 free credit reports and don't quite know what I'm looking for. TIA
MSE credit club - can’t login?
I’ve had my credit club account with full report access for over a year but for the last 8 weeks I’ve been getting the same message after I login: Verification pending, we need to do some further checks, we’ll been in touch within 2 days So annoying. Anyone know what’s going on?
Married name affecting credit score
Hi, first post- hope you can help! I'm trying to get a money transfer credit card cos currently being charged £56 a month for always being in my overdraft. When doing a soft search, i was surprised to find I was rejected for all credit cards except a barclaycard which was odd to me as I already have a barclaycard credit…
Cifas need help 😢
Guys I really need some advice on what I shall do. I lost my card holder which had my card and my details on it and at the time I didn't realise I lost it because I had a level mock exams and I rarely use my card because the only pqurpose was to collect my school bursary. So during school time I get a text from llyods that…
Searches on credit report not me
I checked my Noddle report and I have 3 searches that aren't for me appear in my report. My name (for example) is Jennifer Anne Smith, maiden name Brown. The reports are against Anne Brown, which is my mums name but different date of birth (younger than me). The address is against an old address, somewhere I lived 7 or 8…
Cifas
Hi everyone. Really worried. I got offered a job after 4 months of searching once being made redundant from previous bank I worked for. New job also with a bank. After job offer the company carried out vetting checks like DBS and job referencing and credit check. They also carried out a Cifas check. Although worked in a…
Multiple Current Accounts
Apologies if this is in the wrong forum. Hi, basically, I'm 17, and I have current accounts with HSBC, Lloyds and Starling Bank. I also have a savings accounts with HSBC, and a Help to Buy ISA with Halifax. I've seen a savings account by Nationwide that offers 5% interest, but you need to have a current account with them…
Using catalogues to improve credit history
In the last couple of months ive cleared all my outstanding debt (roughly £5k), not a large amount for some but an achievement for me. Mainly due to massively increased disposable income. Im now in the situation of trying to improve my credit history. I have 5 settled defaults, 3 dropping off in Feb 2019, and the other 2…
CIFAS marker put on by mum, help
Hello, this isn’t me but my boyfriend. His mother has taken out a catalogue in his name without his knowledge (she has a poor credit score and has done this previously with virgin media but he caught her and cancelled it) and has keft sn open debt, he hasn’t been able to get a job for 2 years and couldn’t find out why…
identity theft help?
Hi, would appreciate some help please on the following; I've received 3 letters(Lloyds/Natwest/RBS) stating someone has tried to open account/credit card/loan with my details-all have been denied and marker put on CIFAS about this so hopefully it will warn other financial institutions and stop further applications. I've…
Credit card and mortgage conundrum!
I have a bit of a conundrum concerning my current credit card, my mortgage and my credit rating. I currently have £3000 on an MBNA credit, which I've had at 0% for the last 2 years. This interest rate runs out in January. In May my 2 year fixed term on my mortgage runs out. I intend on selling my current home and…

★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

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.

View All

Credit file & ratings

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free

Credit file & ratings

Discussion List

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free