Surname in Relation to Credit

InfiniteN

Hi guys,

So, I'm just looking for a bit of advice.

I've just taken quite a big career step and I'm now looking into getting a new car, unfortunately my credit rating/history is poor ("Very Poor" according to Experian) due to the fact I had a number of late payments etc. a few years ago whilst temporarily out of work.

Before applying to lease a new car I decided to do a credit check on Experian as mentioned and the results weren't what I'd hoped, though they were what I'd expected.

Now, this is where it gets interesting. All of my credit history is built under a specific surname that I've used for everything from my bank accounts to my phone bill to everything else. Thing is, this surname I've always used is only part of my full, double-barrelled surname, which I've never actually used for anything, even as a child.

So, I decided to run a credit check under my full, double-barrelled name as well and it recognised all my details as being the same person, but gave me a different, higher score, due to the fact I didn't have any of the so called "bad" history etc. under this name.

My real question is - would I technically be doing anything wrong by applying under my full, double-barrelled name, knowing my credit rating is supposedly better this way? And also, what's the fastest way to build upon and improve that rating further?

Many thanks.

The_Boss

Neither your single barelled or double barelled name has a credit score or rating - they do not exist.

Yes, you would be doing something fraudulent if you went with your suggested approach. You would be asked during a credit application "Have you ever been known by any other name?" and would have to declare this.

InfiniteN

But am I right in thinking that both somehow seemingly have a different credit history, by the sounds of it?

Also what if the application does offer the "Have you ever been known by any other name?" option? Surely I'd be doing nothing wrong by simply using the name on my birth certificate/passport?

The_Boss

That fact that you know you have a poor history created under the surname is also key. You're knowingly committing fraud. If this is linked to your credit file you could have fraud markers placed on your credit file.