Equifax and Experian free trials..?

lisyloo

Yep the scores are the opinion of a company that does not lend money but comes up with a score from your credit report which doesn't relate to what any lender thinks.
Just get the report and look at it yourself.
It shoudl be fairly clear if it's good (no late payments) or bad (late payments, defaults, maxed out etc.)

Lender have their own rules, the rest is common sense.
No point paying these companies for scores.
It's a con.

efunc

the credit score I understand is arbitrary, I just mentioned that as an extreme example. however i was more concerned that my last experian report, from 2007, had practically nothing of any value on it. I'm looking at it now:

APPLICATION DETAILS
my name, DoB, Address

ELECTORAL ROLL INFO
confirmation of my address again (have lived here for over 30 years btw)

PREVIOUS SEARCHES
one for my car insurance, another from Experian for the credit report!

---

END OF REPORT----

So where's even my basic of basic financial info? I've had 4 HSBC accounts for 30 years now, 3 BS accounts, 3 credit cards for 25 years. Nothing in the report. Not even a blanked out section. Same with Callcredit. Their one had the same (lack of) info. Do Barclaycard, Abbey, HSBC, etc just not report to these agencies then?

lisyloo

hi efunc - Many years ago the terms and conditions of accounts did not permit lenders to report on you. On modern accounts it's all in the Ts&Cs and you give your permission when you apply.
Therefore old accounts will not show up as they have not obtained your permission to report.

Secondly your credit report is about "credit" account.
That is mortgages, credit cards, store cards, accounts with overdrafts, mobile phone contracts, catalogues and sometimes utilities.
It does not extend to building society accounts or bank accounts without overdrafts.
These are simply NOT credit accounts.

You would do well to open some more modern accounts (even if with the same bank) to build up some credit history.
Lack of credit history may cause you a problem if you want to apply in future.

Did you see more accounts on the on-line system or just scores?

efunc

Experian_company_representative wrote: »

The 30-day free trial is generaly limited to one per customer but we do occasionally run additional promotions, including inviting ex-members to rejoin on a further free trial.

James Jones

Hi James, thanks for your input. The email i received yesterday after I abandoned my application was addressed to me BY NAME (your capitals) and sent after it was understood that I was a previous member. It stated the following:

"Your application was nearly complete! Why not try again. Let us assure you that there is no catch and no commitment. You will not be charged for the 30-day trial and there is no obligation to continue beyond the trial period."

I take that as a personal, targeted assurance given that I am NAMED in the email. Am I therefore one of the individuals that qualifies for a 2nd trial period? If not this email is extremely irresponsible indeed. Please clarify. Thanks.

lisyloo

after it was understood that I was a previous member

Out of interest, how do you know that the software had undertaken this check already??

Why don't you simply try it?
It will tell you before you buy whether you qualify or not.

efunc

lisyloo wrote: »

hi efunc - Many years ago the terms and conditions of accounts did not permit lenders to report on you. On modern accounts it's all in the Ts&Cs and you give your permission when you apply.
Therefore old accounts will not show up as they have not obtained your permission to report.

You would do well to open some more modern accounts (even if with the same bank) to build up some credit history.
Lack of credit history may cause you a problem if you want to apply in future.

Did you see more accounts on the on-line system or just scores?

Interesting. Thanks for that. My last report was in 2007 as above, but since then I have a new Amex, MBNA and Mastercard, so maybe these will start to get a look in. I was going to close these accounts though because they're not getting much use. Perhaps I'll stop using my old cards then and use the new ones instead.

efunc

lisyloo wrote: »

Out of interest, how do you know that the software had undertaken this check already??

Why don't you simply try it?
It will tell you before you buy whether you qualify or not.

It already told me that at the end of the trial application after taking my credit card number. It said I appear to be an ex-member and I need to log-in with my original details. that's when i abandoned logging in. After this point I received the email inviting me to continue and assuring me I wouldn't get charged, counter to the information everywhere else on experian.

lisyloo

I was going to close these accounts though because they're not getting much use

Even if you close them then they will still stay on your report for 6 years after settlement date although it's probably better to have some active accounts.

After this point I received the email inviting me to continue and assuring me I wouldn't get charged, counter to the information everywhere else on experian.

I could be wrong, but it's sounds to me like an error on their part (which might be a basis for complaining getting another free trial).
I think their second offfers are unsolicited and not in response to attempts to get a free trial.
I say that because everyone I've heard of who has tried has not got it, but some people have received the offer unsolicited.
As you feel strongly I'd complain formally. You might get a free trial out of it and if you don't you might improve the system for others so they aren't misled.

lisyloo

I tried applying myself yesterday and got the same email.
In the very small print it says "new customers only".

lisyloo

Just tried getting Experian (statutory) and got

Your request is complete.

• We will send you an e-mail within 24 hours to confirm your application
• We will send you an e-mail in 4 days to let you know your report is available

I'll let you know how long it takes, but it doesn't apper that post #6 is correct about getting it "straightaway" (for clarity I'm talking about Experian only). First email has arrived and says

If you chose to view your credit report online
You will receive a further email when your report is available to view. This email should arrive within the next couple of days.

I have tried logging in using a previous PIN from July 2010 and it says not recognised or expired.