Help with free credit report please!!!

Totts

Hi all - not sure if this is the right place to post this as I am new, but here goes....

I ordered a free credit report from Experian and one from Equifax about 4 yrs ago. I cancelled within the 30-day trial period and was living at a different address.

I want to apply for a cashback credit card so I was going to check my credit status on either one of these. I went to TCK & Quidco to follow both links to get paid for doing so and also used a different email address, however obviously during the identity verification process both companies spotted I had used the facility before and wanted to charge my card immediately.

I take it this means you are only entitled to one free credit check per lifetime then?

I don't want to pay to check but realise these are the 2 main companies other creditors use so wondered if anyone had any advice of alternatives?

I have come across companies like 'quickcreditscore' and 'creditreportinstantly' but I am a bit dubious as to the reliability of them.

I was going to apply for an Amex card and see what happens or is there a better deal with one to use online for purchases?

Dr.Who-Who

Hi Totts,

Not sure I can help you here. But have you try looking at the main forum on "Pure Money" threads? I am sure somebody from there will be able to answer your question.

Good luck

bex4adz

Hi, this happened to me and it was just easier to pay for one, It only costs £2 and then you get sent a hard copy. There are other companies out there which I have recieved them from but it is rubbish what they put, just best to go with experian and pay the £2

Totts

Thanks for your help here. I had considered that Bex but I at the back of my mind I thought I remembered hearing that the one you get for £2 isn't as thorough as the ones when you subscribe? I'm going back a few years so could be wrong. I will get one from Equifax too in that case - I assume I can print off an application or apply online for both?

bex4adz

No I can assure you it is a full one, make sure you go through Experian though as it is alot more from Equafax. I only got mine about 3 weeks ago and it is a full one
HTH

DaveW007

Not sure if I can post this as it might be considered as advertising.

A certain high street bank who has a dark coloured equine animal as their logo is signing people up for something called Privacy Guard. It costs £1.00 and you get your full credit report. I signed up and just got mine. They tell you that you can cancel it after receiving your credit report too.

Totts

Brilliant Bex I'm eager to get it sorted before I apply for my cashback credit card.

Dave thanks for that fab snippet - but do you already have to have an account with said bank?

IAs I mainly want to apply for a cashback credit card I don't want to sign up tfor a new bank account in case any credit check the bank may run actually lowers my score & thwarts my chances of getting the cashback credit card.

Could either of you recommend from experience which next to Amex is the best to opt for on the CB CC front? I'm going for another peek at that section to try and make my mind up.

DaveW007

Totts wrote: »

Brilliant Bex I'm eager to get it sorted before I apply for my cashback credit card.

Dave thanks for that fab snippet - but do you already have to have an account with said bank?

IAs I mainly want to apply for a cashback credit card I don't want to sign up tfor a new bank account in case any credit check the bank may run actually lowers my score & thwarts my chances of getting the cashback credit card.

Could either of you recommend from experience which next to Amex is the best to opt for on the CB CC front? I'm going for another peek at that section to try and make my mind up.

I have an account with them anyway. Not sure if you need an account to get the credit report though. Give it a try.

Totts

Thanks Dave. I got impatient and applied without the credit report and was refused my Argos card gutted! Could be due to me moving twice in 3 yrs (work and downsizing) as well as forgetting I had a barclaycard and allowing it to expire as I hear barclaycard do Argos cards, as well as I don't really use my Argos card hardly at all. I am going to take ID into Barclays to get the original card reinstated and do an order with Argos online paying by my card to try and rack up my credit rating. I have 2 other credit cards which I pay the balance off imeediately, and I have cleared my Egg card completely (they revised their policy when taken over and withdre alot of customer cards).

Have a New Look store card (in credit) and 3 accounts none overdrawn - one's a joint one with my Mum. The only thing I wondered could have been a problem was my final bill when I moved out of my house - E-on had been taking dirtect debits but when I moved the account was £948 out!!!! I offered to pay it off in 10 months as I'd had to stop work due to a situation (health) but Eon wanted it all in 3 months ONLY and referred it to Buchannan Clark and Wells, but it's paid off now on the original terms I offered Eon.

I've sent off for paper copies at £2 a go from the 3 main companies that do the checks.

Thanks for your input and any more ideas how to bolster my score would be great.

gemma1986

There are three companies that do the reports...only three companies. Call credit, Experian and Equifax.

Lenders like to see a number of well maintained accounts. So if the Eon debt was transferred to a debt collection agency then that would have a negative impact on your credit rating.

My advice would be a notice of correction to your credit profile. You can do this by writing to ALL 3 of thecr agencies. Its basically just a passage of text you can apply to give the circumsatnces to why the account was badly maintained (health issues). It will slow down the application as it takes it out of the automatic process but the lender has to read the text. This may sway a lenders decision but it may not at the same time

I know this thread was started a while back but accounts stay on your report for 6 years from the settlement date so thought id post this for advice on getting credit in the future.

Hope this helps