Do different credit agencies have different credit files on you?

theone999

I thought I'd sign up via Quidco to get cashback from Equifax & Credit Expert by Experian since I've never seen my credit profile and only recently was accepted for my 1st credit card.

Unfortunately, I was confused by one of Equifax's "security" questions where it asks about mobile providers because I'd had several mobile accounts/contracts with the current/same provider over the years. I tried 4 more times using different emails and trying the 4 other options and was all blocked.

When I rang up, they said I failed security and wanted me to give them a scan/photo of my passport and bank statement (not just a bank letter) online within the last 3 months. I flatly refused. I thought I'd be giving away very important personal info without even the prospect of £10 Quidco cashback since initial online registration failed.

However the 30 day credit report trial from Credit Expert / Experian seemed to go alright and they're sending me a PIN so I can login in a couple of days.

Does it matter if I never see my credit report from Equifax? Do they all hold the same information on you or they all have different info and it's a complete crapshoot which bank/utility run whichever credit check through whichever agency?

Naf

Short answer is no.
There are, as you know, 3 companies in the UK dealing with holding your financial information, and not every financial institution uses all 3 to find out about you, and not everywhere reports back to all 3 on how you manage your accounts. So sometimes you find that accounts only appear on one or two files.
I guess it's theoretically possible to use this information to your advantage if you know who checks which file, who reports to which company and what's on each one...