Not seeing my CC on Experian or Equifax?

SM535

Hi all,

Out of curiousity I got my credit reports from Experian and Equifax recently.

Turns out that my Experian report is 'fair' but Equifax is very poor, not for any particular reason other than I don't really use credit facilities except a credit card, or sometimes installment plans for car insurance etc, not much to speak of. In fact, about the only contributors to my credit report seem to be BT for a property I moved from about 3.5 years ago.

Our existing mortgage is in my wifes name due to me having started a small business shortly before we bought our present house, so that doesn't contribute to my rating.

What is strange, and I'm not sure how to address this so that it reflects on my credit report, is that my credit card does not show on either credit report at all. I've had the card since 1999 and the limit is ~£15k, with about £8k balance presently.

Surely that should register as available credit/used credit with the rating agencies? Is it possible that due to the length of time I've had the card that it becomes de-listed after the 6 years that the agencies use?

Is there anything I can do to get the card provider to update the credit reference agencies? Whilst I'm generally not too concerned for my day-to-day life, it does have the potential for my 'poor' ratings to affect my small business with regards to directors credit checks.

TIA

thebritishbloke

Credit facilities become de-listed 6 years after the account is closed.

Give your credit card provider a call and tell them it's not showing up on any of your reports, ask them to push it through immediately (say you're getting a mortgage soon or something). They should be able to push it through really quickly.

Hazzinho

You won't have authorised to share your credit card with CRA'S back then, old accounts quite often don't appear, these days you always consent to share your account info with CRA'S if you want any credit.

goldendry

I have a similar issue with an old cc debt not showing on either equifax or Experian.
It did use to show on Experian years back, but seems to have dissapeared.

The CC was never registered as defaulting or anything like that, though it has been under an informal arrangement for 6/7+ years. So I have paid no interest in that time (thanks to this websites advice)

My question: Considering that I'm not paying any interest on the debt (£2.5k+) and it is on an informal arrangement, would it be of any benefit to my credit report in trying to have it added back on? As my credit report is currently Fair (which is not good enough for mortgage purposes apparently) and I would like to improve it going forward.

On a separate note, I am wondering if the CC company might accept an offer to close the account completely? like 50%? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

kingstreet

If it returns to your credit history while you are not making "normal" payments, it will show an AP marker (arrangement to pay) and this is a negative, so you are best leaving things well alone.

What a CRA thinks of your "mortgageability" position isn't relevant, so suggesting "Fair" isn't good enough for a mortgage application may not be accurate, particularly if your chosen lender does not take data from that particular CRA.

Obtain all three versions of your credit file and put them in front of an independent mortgage broker who can roadmap/timescale your options.

goldendry

kingstreet wrote: »

If it returns to your credit history while you are not making "normal" payments, it will show an AP marker (arrangement to pay) and this is a negative, so you are best leaving things well alone.

What a CRA thinks of your "mortgageability" position isn't relevant, so suggesting "Fair" isn't good enough for a mortgage application may not be accurate, particularly if your chosen lender does not take data from that particular CRA.

Obtain all three versions of your credit file and put them in front of an independent mortgage broker who can roadmap/timescale your options.

Thank you Kingstreet, your response is aprreciated.