Credit Rating: How it works and How to improve it discussion area

cosmic_girl

2babyboys wrote: »

hi all,
I am really keen to improve my credit score and want to get hold of my credit report to see what's what! I had some credit problems, ie a couple of defaults and missed payments about 3/4 years ago when I went onto unpaid maternity leave. I then returned to work part time and struggled, but then the CCCS helped me reach good payment instalments when the debts had been sent to debt agencies. I have been making monthly instalments to these companies since with no problems. However I moved house 11 months but didn't want to Debt agencies to know! I get all my post redirected from my old address so all their post gets to me so no issues there. I am scared that if I apply to experian/equifax for a credit report then my new address will be reflected? Also can the debt agencies ever get my new address? I am not running away from the debts, just trying to get a clean file asap.
Should I just give experian my old address details and obtain the file that way?
I am keen to look at things that I could have removed. I am so desperate to clean up my file!!!

Many thanks!

I'm not an expert, but I've read on some other posts that if you share your new address with a credit reference agency to get a file for the past 6 years it will link with your old addresses and current commitments.

Will you not get into trouble for not passing on your new address to your creditors though even if you are paying them?

Would you not have to start from absolute scratch at your new address with no links? Think it would probably be very hard work (maybe wrong though) x

Moggles_2

gordon79 wrote: »

I checked my credit reports and found that NatWest, with which I've had my only credit cards for the last decade or more, were not reporting them to the credit agencies. I assumed it was some kind of mistake but, after a fair bit of chasing, was informed in writing from my bank that they only report when accounts are three months in arrears. In other words, if you have a good credit history with them, you leave no trace whatsoever. This is very frustrating as I was recently turned down for a couple of (good) credit cards, despite having nothing untoward on my reports at all. It turns out, I think, that this is precisely the problem. I have next to no record, despite using my NatWest credit cards for almost everything I buy. Is there anything I can do to force the bank to report my good history or otherwise resolve this? It's actually a form of anti-competitive behaviour, I think, as it means I can't change to different cards.

Unfortunately, there's nothing more you can do. You can contact the bank - there's no harm in asking - but you cannot insist upon this. The decision rests with the bank.

gordon79

Moggles wrote: »

Unfortunately, there's nothing more you can do. You can contact the bank - there's no harm in asking - but you cannot insist upon this. The decision rests with the bank.

Thanks for the information. Do you know if banks report in different ways for different customers? Or if they just have a blanket policy, and the only choice is to change bank? I'm just very much doubting that the typical customer service clown is going to do anything for me and wondering how I can get them to "escalate" it, if indeed it's worth for the bother. Thanks.

mickeywoo

Due to lack of account activity my old student bank wrote to me saying the account needed to be closed an I pay back the overdraft under an agreement over the course of a few months, which I did. Having checked my Experian credit report it still shows my last 18months of activity with the closed account, including my last two months which come up as having overdue balances, even though I was paying back within the terms of my agreement. Am I in any position to challenge this, or am I stuck with it now until 6 years are up? What would be the best course of action? Please, any advice is most welcome!

liam1

Does anybody know if the different ways lenders have formated your name on your credit report is likely to lower your credit score?

For example:

Account 1: MR JOE ADAM BLOGGS
Account 2: MR J BLOGGS
Account 3: MR JOE A BLOGGS

etc.

Moggles_2

liam1 wrote: »

Does anybody know if the different ways lenders have formatted your name on your credit report is likely to lower your credit score?

Lenders use data supplied by you, their customer so, when completing applications and so on, be consistent. If it says JOE ADAM BLOGGS on the electoral roll, I'd keep to that format, if I were you.

That said, all three versions have made it to your credit file, so no harm done

2babyboys

Hi,
I had a basic account with Natwest that I recently upgraded with Natwest after they advised me that the STEP account will not help me rebuild credit score. However having just had my credit reports I have noticed that Natwest have not started record my account on my credit file, but they use equifax opposed to experian. Don't the majority of lenders use experian though? Would it matter if the lender doesn't use equifax?
I also tried to get the vanquis card but was rejected, any other suggestions. I have 6 defaults all dated 2005, nothing adverse since.

Thanks!

2babyboys

Hello all,

another question, I am considering the virgin pre paid card just simply to help rebuild my credit. Does this work? Has anyone got any advise?

Thanks!

seeya23

2babyboys wrote: »

Hello all,

another question, I am considering the virgin pre paid card just simply to help rebuild my credit. Does this work? Has anyone got any advise?

Thanks!

it will not help you rebuild you credit as it is a prepaid card

greydee

I just got turned down for an abbey zero card though i bank there id planned to use it for a holiday then pay off fully then do a ballance transfer from one of of my two capital one credit cards paying that off then repeating on the other one though not fully paying it off just 6 payments a resonable plan that would then help me pay off the last card faster . I did have a loan with abbey which i paid off fully pluss a ten thousand pound credit limit with littlewoods catalogue due to my promt payments over the years i am on a very low budget though this is greater than when i was excepted for the loan from abbey i recently cancelled a phone contract hav'ng been accepted i was then charged for phone calls that should of been free i decided that fighting each month due to false charges wasnt for me and cancelled could this be the reason why ?? the only other thing that i can think of was that i added my sister too my account while i was traveling for emergencys and just never got round to cancelling it could this be the problem ???