How to obtain credit reports

kookamunga

Moggles wrote: »

It sounds as though Experian was unable to find you on its database.

Are you absolutely consistent in your use of names (first name(s) as well as family name) and the order your names appear on all paperwork?

Also, there may be more than one way of writing your address. An extra line may be inserted/omitted or the order reversed, where new build, a house name or a block of flats is involved. You'd be surprised how often this happens

I've always used and had the same name. At the time I applied to view my credit report I had never paid council tax because I had always been a student, perhaps that it why they weren't able to locate any info on me?

Moggles_2

kookamunga wrote: »

I've always used and had the same name

Good, that's one possible banana skin eliminated.

At the time I applied to view my credit report I had never paid council tax, because I had always been a student. Perhaps that is why they weren't able to locate any info on me?

I think that's unlikely, tbh

If I were you, I'd inspect the electoral roll. You can do this at your nearest public library. Obviously, you will not be listed, but your neighbours are. Pay particular attention to the format of your address. An extra line may be inserted/omitted or the order reversed, where new build, a house name or a block of flats is involved or where a landlord has converted a house to flats. You'd be surprised how often discrepancies arise. It's not necessarily due to an error. Very often it comes down to a difference of opinion as to how an address should be formatted, rather than an actual mistake.

With luck, it'll be purely a question of checking the electoral register and sticking with that version. Provided that you're consistent when completing all your paperwork, you should be okay.

P.S. Don't worry if your address is formatted differently on your council tax bill. It's the electoral roll version that counts

Moggles_2

This is a North American site of no use to MSEs in the UK :rolleyes:

Goodtimesahead

Can someone confirm if its correct that CRA's cannot by law hold information on file if the credit agreement was opened before 1994?

A friend of mine has an entry showing from a high street bank for a credit card that was opened in 1987, his credit history has gone down hill during the credit slump and this file shows various late payments & a default ,surely if the above is correct he can ask the CRA's to remove this data from their records regardless of the history showing?

moneymouth77

I believe that's correct, it's a continuation of the six-year law, all credit files over a certain age are not allowed to be held, or something similar.

However, I would recommend getting that confirmed, as I'm not sure. Good luck!

keithboy40

i have just joined experian and was charged £6.99 is that correct. It seem a lot fr a credit report

Moggles_2

keithboy40 wrote: »

I have just joined Experian and was charged £6.99. Is that correct? It seems a lot for a credit report.

Did you pay extra for your credit score or other services?

keithboy40

no, just the basic report

Moggles_2

keithboy40 wrote: »

No, just the basic report

It sounds a lot to me too, but I've only ever ordered free trials this way.

For future reference: Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs) have a statutory obligation to provide you with your credit file and charge no more than £2. These reports are paper-based. You can apply online and they arrive by post within 3-4 days.

Btw, you can telephone the CRAs quoting the reference number and date of your report and they will advise you of subsequent updates over the phone for up to two months afterwards, so there's no need to order further copies

CannyJock

keithboy40 wrote: »

i have just joined experian and was charged £6.99 is that correct. It seem a lot fr a credit report

That's the normal monthly fee after your initial 30 day trial. Gives you 24/7 access to your credit report online. Is the one I have - for me it's partly an acceptable business expense for the amount of juggling I do and partly a safeguard on ID fraud. Maybe not the best money-saving tactic, but works for me