How to obtain credit reports

black_taxi_2

call me paranoid/insane/level headed

i think the two credit agencies are good cop/bad cop

good cop--experian--credit expert(update files instantly an deal with you quickly)

bad cop-equifax(messed about with data 17 years ago-linked addresses ect--very slow to solve probs)

the prob is when you apply for credit/loan/mortgage you dont which they check

sfax

My experience with the two is that Experian are better: less mistakes and problems resolved in a few weeks. Equifax respond to questions but they are inconsistent and the make the same mistakes over and over again. I'm about to launch an official complaint with them

For reference, I have active subscriptions with both: Experian included in my bank account and Equifax at half price. I apply for a lot of BT cards so I need to get regular reports. I also think it's worth paying for at least 1 subscription (although don't pay full price) so that you get alerts to guard against ID theft

UsetheFORCE

Which current account gives you that? I also have Equifax for for £3.49 a month and Noddle,

Regards

sfax

UsetheFORCE wrote: »

Which current account gives you that? I also have Equifax for for £3.49 a month and Noddle,

Regards

smilemore - it's a subscription but very good value if you have a joint account: annual worldwide travel insurance for family including ski, mobile phone insurance x4, breakdown cover, Experian, fee free and interest free OD etc

sfax

https://www.smile.co.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Smile/Page/smView&c=Page&cid=1036673965918#

With safeguard option for Experian

laurenalyssa

Awesome! Thanks for sharing these links... Just what I needed for my situation right now...

Adam_Overmiller

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The FCRA promotes the accuracy and privacy of information in the files of the nation’s consumer reporting companies. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, enforces the FCRA with respect to consumer reporting companies.

A credit report includes information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you’ve been sued or arrested, or have filed for bankruptcy. Nationwide consumer reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home.

fermi

Adam_Overmiller wrote: »

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

Is an American Act, so has no relevance to the UK/this site.

Experian_company_representative

fermi wrote: »

Is an American Act, so has no relevance to the UK/this site.

Quite true.

Guardsman01

I've been a member of Experian (a.k.a."CreditExpert") since April 2008 for which I pay a monthly fee of £6.99. For this I receive emailed alerts from Experian whenever anyone searches my credit record. This is the only service I want from Experian.

On December 13 I received a "As a valued customer, you'll be getting an exclusive new membership package - Shhh. It's not available to our new customers" email from Experian. I suspected the worse and, sure enough, they told me that they will be increasing my monthly charge from £6.99 to £9.99 in January.... But the email also informed me that I would be obtaining "new benefits" with my new membership package. I looked through the list of "new benefits" and decided I did not require any of them. I then emailed Experian to inform them that I wished to opt out of the "new membership package" instead wishing to remain on my existing package at a monthly cost of £6.99. I received a response which stated "we are unable to keep you on your current membership price as this will no longer be available." They also stated that I could cancel my existing membership if I wished by calling 0800 561 0083 before 12.01.2013 when the new contract takes effect.

So. I'll be calling Experian to cancel my membership as they suggest in their email. As I stated earlier, I only require my Experian membership for the "alerts" they email to me whenever my credit record is searched. On receipt of these alerts I log into my credit file and satisfy myself that the searches of my records flagged by the Experian emails are not suspicious so I was wondering if anyone could suggest an alternative way that I could check my credit record on a fairly regular basis to ensure that searches made are not "suspicious." Thanks.