Do credit checks include old, closed accounts?

GeckoGirl1985

As per the title, does anyone know if credit checks consider old accounts that have now been paid off and closed?

Reason I ask is that I defaulted on an old current account a few years back while still at Uni. The bank gave me a £1k student overdraft and having repeatedly gone over this limit, the bank (Lloyds TSB) eventually cancelled the overdraft and I had to borrow money from a family member to clear it. The bank account in question was closed a few months ago as I was no longer really using it, having switched to another bank for my current account. I'm worried about whether this now closed account will show on a credit check, and that my bad spending habits as a student will affect my credit score now?

YorkshireBoy

Accounts remain on your credit file for 6 years after closing.


Sounds like you've never viewed your credit report? Maybe now would be a good time to buy a copy/grab a free trial?

GeckoGirl1985

Hi YorkshireBoy,

Thanks for your reply - I thought this was the case but being new to all this I wasn't sure if I was understanding it correctly.

You're right, I haven't ever looked at my credit report - to be honest I've never really considered it until now as never really had any need to (naive I know!). Its only because my partner and I are exploring the possibility of getting a mortgage next year that I've had to start doing some serious financial 'growing up'. Will sign up for a free trial this weekend.

As I understand it I can get free trials with Experian and Equifax. Are there any others? Is it worth getting multiple reports from several different companies to ensure they are all showing the same?

YorkshireBoy

GeckoGirl1985 wrote: »

As I understand it I can get free trials with Experian and Equifax. Are there any others? Is it worth getting multiple reports from several different companies to ensure they are all showing the same?

Get the two you mentioned plus sign up for a free CallCredit report each month at www.noddle.co.uk


And don't financially associate yourselves until you absolutely have to (for any mortgage application).

GeckoGirl1985

That's great, thank you for the advice