How to obtain credit reports

Chrysalis

I have had problems with credit ratings and my report finally arrived.

For all credits current and past its all 0s (over 100) and 1 U and 1 S I have no 1-6s, so any ideas what may be the problem?

My current credit rating doesnt allow me to get most forms of credit, no overdrafts, no debit cards, phone/tv requires security deposit. Although I have a phone line, tv, broadband and a debit card I am talking about when I had made other applications.

mrs_moneyspinner

we have a good credit history and never go into debt (ever) - hubby tried to get a computer on interest free today and the credit check declined us - can't understand why - then called our mortgage broker (friend) who said that when he did mortgage search for us last month his p.a. made a mistake on the credit check - it declined, she realised error and resubmitted, all then ok. Does this mean that even a check that is submitted with errors can cause a permanent history of a rejection/problem?

pigeonpie

Hi Moneyspinner, you should try to find out which credit agency the computer co uses and get them to correct the incorrect entry. Probably best to check all the credit agencies' reports too. Suggest getting something to confirm the error in writing from your broker. With our problem, we have found Experian helpful (but then we did pay them 1 month's sub by mistake as forgot to cancel) and Equifax just hopeless. After several emails, Experian are now finally raising a problem on our behalf. Once they sort it out, I hope Equifax will just take note of the corrected Experian report. It's a long process and annoying, but once you've had an incorrect entry it can stay on your report for (I think) 12 months, so you may be refused credit again unless you sort it out asap. HTH.

Bluerover

Which is the most commonly used credit ref agency Experian or Equifax? I am considering monitoring "postal" mine every 3 months or so and wondered which is the best to monitor with...obvioualy if something "bad" pops up I will get or three and resolve from there.

londonbloke_2

hi,
i have had difficult time with ccards, so many declines. the reason might be the electoral roll. I am not registered there and not eligible to vote. Should i put a note in my file kept in experian and equifax. Will that be alright? I would say, i live in the UK but not eligible to vote. or can someone write some good explanatory note for me to put in my file with credit agencies. thanks

Vin2300

Hi, newbie here.

Decided i need to get my messy finances in order and improve my credit rating, as i will be looking to get a mortgage with the other half in about 12 months time. Firstly i think i need to check my current credit rating, so i am going to get the £2 report from the three main CRAs.

My question relates to where they ask for my addresses from the last 6 years, because i have previously 'omitted' some addresses from various applications (on the advice of a mortgage broker who said i would get better terms for percieved stability). The actual situation is as follows, all being rented (except Address 1, parents).

Address 1 : May 02 - Feb 04
Address 2 : Feb 04 - Aug 04
Address 1 : Aug 04 - Oct 04
Address 3 : Oct 04 - Dec 07
Address 4 : Dec 07 - present

What my mortgage lender and three credit cards think is:
Address 1 : May 02 - Jul 05
Address 5 : Jul 05 - present

Address 5 is a house i bought with a mortgage but have never lived in (long diy disaster story), but hopefully getting rid of soon.

My question is - should i just tell the truth when applying to the CRAs? Or should i carry on as i have been doing? My thoughts being that i have paid bills at all the addresses and my bank details have been registered to three of them, so the CRAs probably know where i have lived and it will be better to just be match with their records.

Bollinge

Apply for your reports using the short address list. When you get your credit reports, you will be able to see all the info. they hold on you. The report will list all your known addresses.

So, if they think your circumstances are as you have falsely claimed, I would not rock the boat by telling them anything different

If the reports show the true situation, make sure you tell the truth in all future credit applications.

Don't worry, you told a white lie or two, (albeit a criminal offence, i.e. obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception)

Malcolm_Davis

Londonbloke, if you can't get on the electoral roll, don't put a note on your file. I have read articles about how they can make things worse cos they bung up your ability for lenders to approve you automatically, as some guy in the credit card company has to manually check you out. Having a seizure as he's climbing the stairs back to the office!

I would only put a note on my credit info if things were getting a bit desperate dan, identity theft and stuff.

Does anyone know why we can't get free credit reports here, I read this article about how the Yanks and Ozzies all get free credit reports but we can't. Seems a bit tight to me. Why is it us Brits get the rubbish deal? I guess it'll come down to money!

The article is below and it's a bit illuminating, anyone got a torch or an answer why we have to cough up 6 quid to check our reports. ]

Check it out for yourself and let me know what ya' all think

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Get-Free-Credit-Reports-in-the-US,-UK-or-Australia&id=1118783

WRabbit

Just a word of warning for those who take part in the 30 day trials. I'd signed up for the Experian one (www.creditexpert.co.uk) and cancelled on the 30th day. I confirmed on the phone I was within the trial period and that I wouldn't be charged.

However I was.

On phoning back they refunded 'on this occasion' and it all seemed very grudgingly done. Apparently their systems update overnight so that even though I'd cancelled on the 30th day - their systems didn't get the update until the 31st. I'm not even going to comment on how poorly designed their software is that can't cater for this. I did get a refund, but I'm watching my card carefully next month.

Do you think it would be bad for your credit rating if you did a chargeback against a credit reference agency?

Delroy_2

It seems Experian are trying to increase interest from the public - If you request a free trial of your credit report from Experian via http://www.greasypalm.co.uk/r/?l=787099 they deposit £3.25 into your cash back account.