Equifax vs Experian - Why so different?

DanielleR

Hiya,

So I subscribe to both Equifax and Experian and have two completely different credit reports and now, ratings, for both.

My Experian is looking pretty tidy. No searches, no defaults no nothing. Credit score of 846 out of 999. Not on the electoral register (due to a muck up in my local office but soon to be rectified) but that should push me up some more.

In contrast on my Equifax I have 6 searches for a single outstanding debt (which I am currently contesting and am one document away of getting rid of) and a default that I'm in the process of contesting. Credit score of 270 out of 900!

How can these credit agencies be so different? Why have Equifax logged some stuff that Experian haven't? Does anybody else have two completely different credit reports as well?

squirrelwood

I am in a similar situation but I've no idea why either. I have just got my credit score with Experian and it's 857 (up 23 from last year). Equifax, however, scores me at 218! The reports are identical but Equifax shows my mortgage account and Experian doestn't. Mortgage account fully paid monthly as arranged! It's all a mystery.

I had a debt with Toyota for a car hire purchase 5 years ago. They got a charge (CCJ) on my house which is showing settled. I checked with the court and no interest should be added to the stated debt as the court didn't stipulate it in the judgement. I have heard nothing from Toyota since 2006 (date of CCJ). Yesterday, out of the blue, they did a search on my experian account which is registering as a search for credit or hire purchase. But I've not been in touch with them at all. I rang Experian who said they would like to contact Toyota, as I didn't give permission for a search and am certainly not looking to buy any car at all. But I asked them not to as I was scared they may start chasing me to pay them or force me to sell my house. I don't think they can do that as it is a shared ownership with a H.Assn. but feeling very worried. Why did they do that?
On a positive note, I just got a Capital One credit card to help rebuild my score. I'll be paying it in full every month, so I'm hoping to up my score in a few months. Good luck with your own!!

The_Guvnor_2

DanielleR wrote: »

Hiya,

So I subscribe to both Equifax and Experian and have two completely different credit reports and now, ratings, for both.

My Experian is looking pretty tidy. No searches, no defaults no nothing. Credit score of 846 out of 999. Not on the electoral register (due to a muck up in my local office but soon to be rectified) but that should push me up some more.

In contrast on my Equifax I have 6 searches for a single outstanding debt (which I am currently contesting and am one document away of getting rid of) and a default that I'm in the process of contesting. Credit score of 270 out of 900!

How can these credit agencies be so different? Why have Equifax logged some stuff that Experian haven't? Does anybody else have two completely different credit reports as well?

Hiya

Well what can I say , I have recently signed up with Experian in order to get my credit score up to date and in some way repaired all this was done within around 10 Mins, now Eqifax a total different ball game, firstly you fill in all the relevent details then at the end you get a message asking you to call there number listed.

When to call this after about a 15 minute wait you speak to a so called advisor, who goes over exactly the same questions as you have already imput online. anyway, you answer all these questions and then the classic comes across, we need to see either your driving licence, or passport imformation that I have to say I am not happy to give online, surely this cannot be the correct procedure here, Experian did not ask for it when I signed up for them. that also becomes apparent as I dig a bit further is although at first I am told they are based in the UK it transpire's that the caller I spoke with was in the Phillapines.

What really irritates me is that Equifax are holding imformation on me, that is incorrect and affecting my Credit score and it would seem there is nothing I can do about it, unless I provide driving Licence or passport.

Did any of you have to provide this when you signed up or am I being to catious here !!!!

sistafromanothermista

:wave:

How i understand it is this....
Lets say you apply for CC1, they might search Experian as their chosen CRA.
You then apply for CC2 they may use Equifax.
This is why you may not see the same data on both.

(I may be wrong as i am no expert but from reading threads this is now i understand it)

This may also be why you may be accepted by 1 CC company but not another.

triple_choc_chip

The_Guvnor wrote: »

Hiya

Well what can I say , I have recently signed up with Experian in order to get my credit score up to date and in some way repaired all this was done within around 10 Mins, now Eqifax a total different ball game, firstly you fill in all the relevent details then at the end you get a message asking you to call there number listed.

When to call this after about a 15 minute wait you speak to a so called advisor, who goes over exactly the same questions as you have already imput online. anyway, you answer all these questions and then the classic comes across, we need to see either your driving licence, or passport imformation that I have to say I am not happy to give online, surely this cannot be the correct procedure here, Experian did not ask for it when I signed up for them. that also becomes apparent as I dig a bit further is although at first I am told they are based in the UK it transpire's that the caller I spoke with was in the Phillapines.

What really irritates me is that Equifax are holding imformation on me, that is incorrect and affecting my Credit score and it would seem there is nothing I can do about it, unless I provide driving Licence or passport.

Did any of you have to provide this when you signed up or am I being to catious here !!!!

Hi, Yes I have had the same problem with them. They do not have any information on me since I moved nearly 6 yrs ago and maintain that this is because they cannot verify my address as it was originally a new build and is not on the system (I know it is).

I sent them the documents, also spent ages on the phone - when they asked me for details of loans, credit card limits from 10 years ago to prove my identity - which of course I could only guess approximations; and we now have emails back and forth.

Because they are foreign, they don't seem to understand that I have a house name not a number. They are trying to put the name and the second line of my address on one line and telling me it won't fit because it's too many characters!

I have re-iterated that it should be over two lines, but then they say no, because then everyone with the same post code would have that second line to which I replied Yes, they do! and please stop creating your own problems and find someone who not only speaks English but understands it as well! So now they've just stopped replying.

Experian and Call credit have it down correctly, but I was turned down for a barclaycard recently and this was because they use Equifax and couldn't verify my address, so very frustrating. :mad:

simeyb

I have exactly the same - no problems joining Equifax though. My Experian score is 988 and with the same info the Equifax is 275! Although its out of a lower number I think? Not sure but trying to repair both of them!

TinTin2004

Applied online for my (postal) Stautory Credit Report and at the end of application I had to ring a number. Rang number and was asked the same questions along with details of any loans or credit I had in recent history (hard to remember, especially as I had no report to hand...Oh the irony)
I had to upload picture id such as passport etc and was told that my report would be posted out within 7 days.
After 10 days had passed no report received but yet bank statement says £2 withdrawn a few days after application!
Rang Equifax and after a lengthy hold and total phone call of 15 mins, I was told take it up with my bank!
Rang my bank who confirmed money definitely taken from bank.
Rang back Equifax and after another 12 minute phone call was asked to put details down in email on a seperate website and was told I would need to create another account to access this facility.
When I created account and tried to send email, in order to send email, I needed a credit report number (which I had still not received!)
So now I've spent nearly £3 in phone calls chasing a £2 credit report which I've paid for but still yet to receive!!!!
I bet if I go online and pay for a £14 full glossy report there wouldn't be this problem..!!!!! AGGGGGGHHH!!!!

triple_choc_chip

TinTin2004 wrote: »

I bet if I go online and pay for a £14 full glossy report there wouldn't be this problem..!!!!! AGGGGGGHHH!!!!

Yet I suspect there still would be.....it's scary that these people are responsible for so much important information about us.