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Credit file & ratings

Archives for August 2019

Setting aside a CCJ?
Hi all, Long time reader - never posted. First off, I've read the various guides to dealing with the application to set aside the CCJ - but I thought I'd run my predicament by the various gurus on here to see what the consensus is. In Sep 2009, I took out a mobile phone contract with a provider. Long story short, I never…
Virgin money credit card help please.
Hello, I’m sorry if this is a ramble I’m beyond panicking and not sure what to do. I had a virgin money credit card and haven’t been able to afford the minimum payments so haven’t been paying it for the last 3 months and burying my head in the sand, I’m so embarrassed. I’ve logged on to make a payment today and it is…
Money transfer card AND a new balance transfer card?
Hi :) I’m trying to get my finances sorted Pre-Brexit.... My 0% finance for kitchen is due in November and I’m looking at a money transfer card for to top up my savings to pay the balance off. BUT my credit card 0% limit also runs out early next year so I’m wondering if I could apply for money transfer card for kitchen and…
How to get all late payments replaced with defaults
Hi all looking for advice please. So 2 and half years ago I had 3 creditors that I entered arrangements to pay with or self managed DMP. 2 of the creditors have logged AP against every month and 1 creditor logged a default. The lender who logged default reversed this and changed every month to a late payment marker. These…
Number of credit cards and Credit Rating
I am new to MSE forums but thought someone may be able to assist with a query I have. I have 17 credits cards with total limits of over £70,000. I am only using about £10k with 0% balance transfers which should be paid off by the end of the 0% rate. My question is, should I close some of the accounts down? I have seen on…
Brief dip into unarranged overdraft - impact on mortgage application
Hello all I have standing orders set up between a few of my current accounts such that normally one account receives £300 on the 24th of each month and then pays £300 out again on the 27th of each month. Unfortunately with the bank holiday weekend, the £300 SO into my account was delayed until today, which is the same day…
No win, no Fee - Equifax data breech compensation
I just found out that compensation may be due to those affected by the Equifax data breech: https://www.hayesconnor.co.uk/equifax-data-breach/ I had a letter from Equifax saying my data was part of the breech. The solicitors above speciliase in no win, no fee. They say: If successfull.... "This 'success fee' is taken from…
New credit file
Hi, I have terrible credit right now, I have made this plan to improve my credit over the next few years. I wanted to know what the veterans on the forum think. I am not advertising for any of these services, just wanted to know your thoughts. Obviously the assumption is that everything will be paid on time. () is the…
Various questions about improving credit
Hi there, I am aiming to improve my credit as I would like to move out within the next year or so (most likely renting) and don’t want my debts to affect my chances of being able to move out/buy a house with my partner in the next few years. Due to a few years of silly mistakes, I have a total credit limit of £7000 across…
2 entries on file for 1 debt
I have an entry for cashplus showing 4 years of red square with 3 in it with no default date and a green settled in 2018. ( Have had no dealings with them over the years) Then I have a Lowell entry with a default date of 2015 and an amount outstanding for the same debt. So 2 negative entries for same debt. Any chance of…
Best steps for credit file recovery?
Hi all, After a marriage breakdown a good few years ago now I found myself struggling financially. I went from a married man with two incomes to a single parent of two kids on one income. So now i have two amazing kids to whom i am the world and we have a million happy memories.....but i also have 11 defaults, £20k of debt…
Frequent address changes - a problem?
Hi I am a graduate and I’m in a graduate job. I rotate every 6 months and each rotation could require me to move from one city to another. I’ve been at my current address for 6 months and am registered to vote there. I’ve found out I will be staying put for the next 6 months as well. I have a graduate current account…
Do certain mortgage lenders use certain credit agencies
Hi all, Started a new thread for a different bit of advice needed. Basically looking for a mortgage and have certain things in my credit history. Experian gives me the best score as there are 2 loans not showing on there. Credit karma shows me in the worst light as it has these other 2 payday loans that were in an…
Recently been accepted on Electoral Role. Advice needed
Hello, I applied to get on the Electoral Role. All went OK and I got a letter from my council accepting me. It says my name will be added when the council next update their register in December. I have a some questions about this. Does my credit report address update before that ? and also how long do I need to be on the…
Credit file after DMP mortgage options
Ok so apologies for the long post and thank you for being patient here with me. The history is end of 2015- start of 2016 I split with partner some financial issues which resulted in me taking out payday loans. I took a few out and once I started that I was then needing more and to roll over and borrow from different…
Will this improve my credit score?
I was slightly cheeky and spent lots of money on 0% credit cards so i could free up money for a house deposit (a buy to let one, which nets £700/month profit). I stupidly never thought spending so much on the cards (£15k) would affect my credit score and I've been monitoring the scores with the different agencies very…
Balance Transfer Cards - repay and close or keep cards open for best credit rating?
Looking to get my credit in the best position for when I remortgage in around 6 months time, and I'm not sure whether it's best to minimise my available credit, or my credit utilisation. I bought a car last year partially on debt which I spread across several interest free money transfer / balance transfer cards,…
Mortgage not on 2 of the 3 credit reports - is that an issue?
Hi, was wondering if anyone could give any advice please? I didn't have a great credit history to start with because I was young, impulsive & no real clue about budgeting & money, but a few years back I pulled my socks up, started doing my best & stopped using my credit cards for living on, stopped robbing peter to pay…
Credit Report
Apologies if this is a daft question but do banks see credit files in real time, or as at the last update as we see them? I only ask as i'm in the middle of buying a house and with all the fee's that are being paid out and need to be paid out, I'm a little insolvent atm It's my sons birthday in a couple of weeks though, so…
Issue with MSE Credit Club/Experian
Hi Is there an issue with Experian or the credit club at the mo? I’ve logged in following an email alerting me to a change in my score to see it still the same but no active credit info showing. I tracked my score monthly last year, early this year because we were applying for a mortgage so I know the info was there but…

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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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Credit file & ratings

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