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What your credit score really means
Hi! This is the discussion thread for the What credit scores really mean guide. Click reply below to discuss. If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply. Thanks folks,
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What your Credit Score really means - Please read first before posting about a credit score issue.
Hi all! This is the discussion thread for the What credit scores really mean guide. Well, what does your credit score really mean ?. By Martin If you've paid to get a credit score from one of the credit agencies, how reliable is it? We run through the truth about credit scores. I’ve just found out that my credit score has…
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New to the Credit File & Ratings board? Start here
Useful links to MoneySavingExpert.com guides * Top tips to build your credit score * How to check your credit report for Free * Credit Club * Build your credit history * Student credit scoring * Should I get a loan if I have a bad credit score? 💡 If there's a link you think we should include here, please send me a message!
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Please help, two issues, one default reported late and one default not reported at all
Hello everyone, Saw a few surprises on my credit score and need some advice. First one is this one from Virgin Mobile. Honestly I don't have a clue about this one, maybe I took out a sim and forgot about it, I don't recall making a single payment. The issue is there was no default added on Equifax since 2017, even the…
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Rejected for £2 a month SIM card, but suggestions aren't helpful to improve score
I have been rejected for a £2 a month SIM card after failing a credit check. I have no debt apart from my mortgage, I've moved home once in the last 20 years, earn £51k, have changed job once in the last 8 years, have around £25k in savings, £1000 in my current account, one credit card, which I pay on time and have had for…
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IDMobile credit checks
Has anyone tried to get a deal with IDMobile which is initially accepted for Credit and then fails to give you the credit on the handset? I have found that they cannot tell you why they have a marker against you and will not give credit after saying they would. I then checked Equifax and my credit rating is perfect. There…
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Experian credit report for free
Apologies if this is old news to the regulars here, but I had thought that since the MSE credit club moved over to Transunion, there was no (easy) free access to my Experian credit report. Turns out I was wrong - you can sign up for a free account directly with them, and also get full report access via their app. And if…
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Potential CIFA marker - gambling
Please please help. Yesterday Kroo messaged me on the app to say they were closing my account with immediate effect following review of my account. For the past few months I have been depositing money in and using it on a gambling platform (mystake). I was in a stressful situation, trying to make money (stupid mistake I…
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Current account not showing on any of the credit reference agencies
I have an RBS select current account, it's a very old account, constant activity, wages paid in, direct debits/regular card payments go out, has an arranged overdraft, details appear correct. It's not listed on any credit report. My RBS mortgage is listed on all of them. I also have a Nationwide current account, a few…
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Failed Credit Check - No Reason and no where to find out
My husband and I both want a new mobile phone and deal - however, individually we both failed the credit check and then the company 'closed down conversation' Experian shows us both as score 999 (the highest) and 'Excellent' rating. Have gone back to the phone company but they have stone walled us. I am concerned about the…
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Potential TransUnion issue
I'm a little concerned about my Transunion credit score.. it's a lot lower than my other scores.. to give background: Experian: 999 / 999 (excellent) Equifax: 925 / 1000 (excellent) Transunion: 589 / 710 (fair) Equifax has been 999 for as far back as I can check, small variations with Equifax (current score is normal, and…
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Multiple credit checks
Hi, For some bizarre reason, I've had a soft credit check by Lloyds Bank every day for the last 4 days. It's a bit concerning, as I don't have any nor have I ever had any accounts with Lloyds. I have never applied for a Lloyds product either directly with the bank or by a credit search service such as MSE Credit Club, etc.…
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MSE News: Your Experian credit score might be about to drop
Credit reference agency Experian will soon give you a credit score out of 1,250, instead of the current 999, it has announced. Yet, while your Experian credit score's likely to drop as a result of the change, this WON'T affect the underlying data on your credit report – and it's that data (not your score) that lenders use…
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Mortgage direct debit returned
On 28/10/25 I received a text msg from my bank NatWest to advise I had insufficient funds. I transferred straight away approx 2:30pm that day. I checked the following day and on my NatWest mobile banking the direct debit listing showed as paid. A week later I received an email from my mortgage lender HSBC advising my…
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UK insurance limited
I recently have been trying to lease a new car but my credit score is in the poor sector. I have paid off all my debts beginning of this year, or so I thought. When I downloaded my credit report I noticed I owe £875 to UK insurance limited from 2020. I was confused why I’d never heard of this company or why I didn’t have…
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Identity fraud + disputed CCJ against E.ON Next – need expert guidance
I’m dealing with suspected identity fraud linked to E.ON Next and a CCJ (£770) I did not register. Key points: - Start: Sept 2024, ongoing emails about identity fraud; no evidence of original contract or communications provided by E.ON Next. - 26/03/2025: CCJ/invoice for £770 with no correct email/phone on file; no mail…
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Locked credit report
I cannot log in to my Experian account to unlock my credit report. They have no customer phone number and so you can only contact them via email. They take up to 6 days to reply. I’ve had this issue for 3 weeks and it’s still not resolved. I’m trying to buy a house and need my credit report unlocked for my mortgage…
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Default Cabot
Hello, just looking at my equifax record and I have 5 defaults listed with Cabot, from December 2022. I’ve never paid Cabot. And the defaults are from much further back than that, I think possibly 2019? What can I do about these?
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Unknown loan on credit file
Hi - have checked my credit file and there’s a loan on there with alliance and leicester dated April 2025 which I have no clue about does anyone have a clue what this could be ??? 🤨
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How long to default?
What I can see now many creditors don’t register default even after 8 or more missed payments! Why they don’t stick to guidance then? Why they delay it so long?
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Will paying off mortgage affect my credit score
My husband has died leaving various life insurance and death in service payouts. I’m about to use some to pay off the mortgage however am concerned paying it off in full may adversely affect my credit score long term. For context I’m 48 and have always had a good credit score. I’ve had a mortgage since the age of 18 and…
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Excellent credit but poor affordability
I'm genuinely confused about how to combat this. I have an excellent credit score with all of the main Credit Agencies but my 'affordability score' is low because it says I have very little disposable income. I earn £37K which is 2,500 a month net. My rent is £800. I have just one credit card payment of £120 then the usual…
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British Gas credit file error blocking mortgage – Ombudsman referral initiated
I’d like to share my ongoing experience in case it helps others. British Gas wrongly registered a default on our energy account in 2022 after creating a duplicate account in error. We raised our second complaint (Ref 29121559) in April 2025, and BG confirmed by phone that their CAIS Team was removing the default. Six…
