Questions about my credit score

Stephen_C.

So of all the three credit score/reports, Experian proved to be most useful. They have outlined 1 positive factor and 4 negative that I am hoping to change to improve my score.

I would post a screenshot but I'm not allowed to as a new member.

Your current score is: 899
Factors affecting your score:
1 Positive factors

• You have no recent searches on your credit report

4 Negative factors

• The age of your accounts indicates lenders are likely to view you as higher risk
• The usage of your available credit indicates a higher risk
• You have no successfully settled credit account
• The value of your highest credit limit indicates a higher risk.

I will address credit utilisation by lowering the amount of overdraft I use (I'm a student so I always maxed it out and put it in savings because it's 0%.)

In terms of age, there isn't much I can do about that.

I don't understand what is meant by no settled accounts? I pay my credit card in full every month by direct debit.

Thrugelmir

Stephen_C. wrote: »

I don't understand what is meant by no settled accounts? I pay my credit card in full every month by direct debit.

Loans, or an agreement with a fixed term. Credit cards are revolving credit. You've always the facility to use next month.

As for the overdraft usage. Savings accounts aren't visible. So assumption will be that overdraft facility is being used.

Stephen_C.

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Loans, or an agreement with a fixed term. Credit cards are revolving credit. You've always the facility to use next month.

As for the overdraft usage. Savings accounts aren't visible. So assumption will be that overdraft facility is being used.

So it is a good idea to use little or no overdraft if I don't need to?

Stephen_C.

Does anyone know if after cancelling you can re-apply for these free 30 day trials?

geekonthepc

Stephen_C. wrote: »

Does anyone know if after cancelling you can re-apply for these free 30 day trials?

You can't reapply for the trial. Just get Noddle - that's free forever.

matttye

Stephen_C. wrote: »

Does anyone know if after cancelling you can re-apply for these free 30 day trials?

You can with a different e-mail address for Experian. Not sure about Equifax.

sharpy2010

Equifax know if you've applied more than once, and they won't let you do it.

Noddle is free, but it isn't very good. It is free though.

UsetheFORCE

Stephen_C. wrote: »

Does anyone know if after cancelling you can re-apply for these free 30 day trials?

https://www.privacyguard.co.uk do a 30 day trial for EXPERIAN DATA... the same information with credit score.

I am on my SECOND 'FREE' trial...

purple.sarah

Stephen_C. wrote: »

So of all the three credit score/reports, Experian proved to be most useful. They have outlined 1 positive factor and 4 negative that I am hoping to change to improve my score.

I would post a screenshot but I'm not allowed to as a new member.



I will address credit utilisation by lowering the amount of overdraft I use (I'm a student so I always maxed it out and put it in savings because it's 0%.)

In terms of age, there isn't much I can do about that.

I don't understand what is meant by no settled accounts? I pay my credit card in full every month by direct debit.

A successfully settled credit account is one which you have fully paid and closed in line with the terms of the agreement or to the lenders satisfaction.

sfax

matttye wrote: »

You can with a different e-mail address for Experian. Not sure about Equifax.

This simply can't be true. The first thing they do is identify you using your name, date of birth, current and previous addresses. The email address is not part of this identification (it's just used for your login and notifications)

I could have infinite email addresses (and therefore infinte free trials) with gmail by just adding 1 to x each time a la name+x@gmail.com

matttye

sfax wrote: »

This simply can't be true. The first thing they do is identify you using your name, date of birth, current and previous addresses. The email address is not part of this identification (it's just used for your login and notifications)

I could have infinite email addresses (and therefore infinte free trials) with gmail by just adding 1 to x each time a la name+x@gmail.com

Try it and see.