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Credit file & ratings

Discuss everything to do with credit checks and credit reference agencies.

Default on my Credit File. Can I remove it?
Back in 2018, I had acquired a fairly substantial personal debt across several banks and credit card companies. I settled these debts at 80% of the total with each company and my status was shown as settled. One company, Newday, accepted the 80% but did not mark my account as settled, they still defaulted me, which is…
British Gas - disputed account
Can someone help explain to me please. I was paying British Gas a direct debit for my gas and electric of £251 a month, they wanted to up that to £445 so I cancelled my dd to make manual payments of my actual usage ( about 220 a month at the moment) as they would not lower the dd amount even though my account was in…
Vodaphone Broadband
I'm just wondering why Vodaphone did a hard search of my credit file when I applied for their full fibre broadband? I probably did agree to this in T&C but I would have thought they'd do a soft search. Will this stay on my file for 2 years? My score is (was) excellent and this is bugging me because I've just spent 10 years…
Electoral register - need complete year for Equifax?
I've recently sold my house and moved back in with family temporarily. I updated the electoral roll - both Experian and Equifax have received the update via the council. Equifax however has my credit score at poor - the dashboard has a red flag against electoral register and states "0 complete years on electoral register…
Credit rating affected with BT Broadband
Hi, I recently went through the process to obtain BT Broadband but didn't go ahead with it as I was lied to. Now my credit rating has been affected. Can I get my rating back because I didn't end up getting Broadband?
declined credit
Hi, I was turned down by 3mobile for a £20 a month contract this morning. On the grounds of "your credit hasn't passed check". when I questioned it they said it could be for a number of possible reasons. I have a 999 out of 999 credit rating on experian, I'm aged 61, lived in the uk all my life, never been unemployed, had…
Credit card cash withdrawal on credit report?
I had an email from ClearScore stating my credit score had dropped. Upon checking it’s saying that I’ve withdrawn cash from my credit card at least once in the past 3 months. This hasn’t happened as I don’t withdraw cash from my credit card, it doesn’t appear on my statements and isn’t recorded on my Experian report. Is it…
Habitation Status
Hello I wanted to check my credit rating and look at applying for credit cards to help build up my rating. However, the one point that keeps confusing me is what option to pick when it comes to habitation/living situation. I've lived with my partner for 3 years, she owns the house and I contribute half to the costs of…
Credit Files Financial Association and the Deceased
My wife passed away almost 4 years ago now. I used the one-stop shop at the registrars to inform government/local government (Pensions/Benefits/Council Tax etc) thus taking some of the weight of me at a very sad time. I duly provided individual banks/insurance companies/card providers with death certificates. I wrongly…
Direct debits affecting credit rating?
I recently applied to rent a flat and although all my references did go through okay my credit rating came back as bad. I can't quite understand this as I've never been late on any phone payments or credit card payments. The only thing I can think is that I recently realised that I previously had a standing order set up as…
Help on Mortgage debt for Child
Hi there, One of my kids is in the middle of a particularly messy separation that has been going on for three years now and delaying tactics have meant that they are only going to court now to get agreement on access and custody over their children. However, in the meantime, there is debt accruing on the mortgage and i…
Default on file - advice/feedback please
I defaulted on an unsecured loan in Jan 2020 & it was sold out to a debt collection company called 'Interum' in Feb 2020. Since then, I've been paying as much as I can afford each month, alongside extra amounts as & when I can afford to. The default's due to come off my file in Jan 2026 and we're expecting to have the…
American Express Debt & Not Defaulting
Good afternoon all! New here!, After much deliberation over asking for some advice I've finally worked up the courage to ask! I've 3 old debts with Amex, one for £700 which has defaulted, and two others for about £2300 which haven't defaulted. Last payment on all accounts was in June 2019, and I wanted to know how long…
Letter about CCJ for minor car accident
Help I've had a letter today from a solicitor about a car accident (in a retail car park) in 2018 I told my insurance company about it (fleet policy), I got my car repaired £600 not through insurance and I've heard nothing since! Until today, I've had a letter from the other drivers solicitor telling me that they are…
CCJ questions I need answering please
Just curious , I understand a CCJ stays on a credit file or a maximum of 6 years then falls off. If the CCJ is still not then paid off at the 6 year stage is it still accessible to view by potential lenders/creditors ? Also, if I am say, applying for a loan or a mortgage do I need to still declare it or declare I am still…
Checkmyfile.com..degree of difficulty when cancelling
I need to sign up and provide my credit file to my IFA and he recommends checkmyfile.com. Not free after 30 days but I need it as a one - off so will be cancelling before the 30 days are up Anyone with any opinions on difficult it was to do that has been through the process? Thanks
Debt Collection
On March 8th my Son (Who has Autism) received a letter titled Arrears of CCJ apparently in Summer 2021 a CCJ was filed in a court. We have lived at our address for 9 years and we have not received any letters regarding debt or going to court. I typed with my son and sent (on March 14th) to the solicitor company who sent…
N443 and ccj question
Hi there, I received a ccj after a parking ticket fine was issued to an old address as was the court issue. I have paid the ccj as I was in the wrong with parking just didn't know about it. the ccj hasn't been removed from my record despite the debt being paid within 30 days. if I want to send off a N443 form do I need to…
Does freezing credit card interest affect credit rating
I have been googling this and looking here but I cannot find a concrete answer to this question, will asking to freeze the interest on my credit cards have an affect on my credit rating? My OH's business has been slowly failing and we ended up relying on credit cards to make ends meet, we are now at a stage where they are…
Hard Search and Technical Issue
hiso applied for finance online and it got aproved but then the stupid company has had technical issues and is wont let me login or sign agreement so they just saying they cant do anything and I need to re apply. However it will be two hard searches in 24 hours on my credit file!! Is there any way around this or do I need…

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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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