Viewing My Credit Report

HaydenF

Hi there,

I'm really confused at the moment, I've read a few things on what affects your credit rating, how to improve etc but I'm struggling to even get access to mine currently.

I've tried to use two of the most used credit report sites, however it doesn't seem to register my visa debit card as valid even though I know it's definitely correct as I've used it to purchase numerous things online, I see it listed as Visa but I'm not sure if I'm able to use it.

On one site, Noodle, after taking me through to confirm my identity it asked me questions, some of them asked me things like "Which one of the following addresses have you previously lived at", I didn't recognise any of them?? It also listed me store cards and asked me to select one I'd taken out but I've never had any.

I'm basically trying to look this up as I'm just 19 and recently sorted my bank as I wanted to get a contract phone and applied for a few, which probably wasn't a good thing to do, but I was declined on them all. I understand having no credit history isn't very good either but if I can't take out any credit how am I supposed to get some good credit?

Any advice/answers is appreciated, thanks.

rizla_king

Send for the £2 paper report?

HaydenF

rizla_king wrote: »

Send for the £2 paper report?

What kind of information will that give me?
Sounds like a mini and not detailed version of some sort, as I said I have no experience with credit files at all.

Hazzinho

£2 reports have everything on them, get them from experian, Equifax and callcredit then check everything is accurate. Make sure you are on the electoral roll on them to improve your credit report. Don't bother with the scores they are pointless, you will need starter credit cards to get some credit, try you bank first. Also multiple credit applications in a short space of time can have a negative effect on your credit for a period of time.

HaydenF

I received a letter confirming I was on the electoral roll from the 1st august by my local council however 192 don't have me listed, do they not update regularly? Is there any other way except visiting the archives in my city for me to see if I'm on the electoral roll?

My bank won't give me any kind of starter credit, I've only been with them a few weeks. Any other suggestions on some credit I could get to improve my rating? Also, how long does it take for me credit rating to go up once I get some credit?

Tixy

HaydenF wrote: »

I received a letter confirming I was on the electoral roll from the 1st august by my local council however 192 don't have me listed, do they not update regularly? Is there any other way except visiting the archives in my city for me to see if I'm on the electoral roll?

No idea how often 192 update. However the credit reference agencies are usually a couple of months behind. Its not whether you are on the electoral roll that is important its whether it shows as such on your credit files.
So likely it should appear on your credit reports in a month or so. Probably little point in trying to apply for anything before this does show on your credit file.

HaydenF wrote: »

My bank won't give me any kind of starter credit, I've only been with them a few weeks. Any other suggestions on some credit I could get to improve my rating? Also, how long does it take for me credit rating to go up once I get some credit?

What is your main reason for wanting to improve your ability to get credit? Is it because you want a contract phone? or some other form of lending?
Credit history takes a while to build up. Once you have a credit product then assuming you repay it correctly it may start to improve your chance of getting further credit after 6months or so.

30 day SIMs are usually easier to get than a full phone contract. Some phone companies will let you upgrade to a full contract after having a 30day rolling sim contract for a few months. Do you just have PAYG currently? If so then once you are showing as on the electoral register on your credit files and assuming everything else on your files is accurate then it might be worth trying to get a 30 day rolling sim contract.

HaydenF

Thanks for the advice Tixy.
I followed it up and took out a 30 day sim only contract with Three who advised me in store after the month is up, providing it's paid they will extend it to a 12 month plan.

The ultimate reason for me wanting to improve it was so that in the long term I'd have a good record if I have any financial difficulties I'm actually able to get some help, and in the short term I wanted to take out a full phone handset contract.