MoneySaving Poll: When did you last check your credit file?

Former_MSE_Sam_M

Poll started 12 January 2016

When did you last check your credit file?

Your credit file can dictate not just whether you get mortgages, credit card deals, contract mobile phones or cheap energy tariffs, but sometimes even the rate.

A small error on your files at credit reference agencies Experian, Equifax or call credit can cause havoc, so checking your file is important.


When did you last check your credit file?

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Gigervamp

I've never checked mine. I don't use credit.

lisa110rry

Monthly, never changes though, thankfully.

SailorSam

What's a credit file ?
I don't think i've got one.

torbrex

I only discovered last year that I had a file when I was asked some security questions from it, I got the answers wrong as I had no idea what was in the file.

Consumerist

I haven't checked direct with the CRAs for a couple of years now because I get the free monthly credit reports from both Noddle and ClearScore - do they count?

Consumerist

torbrex wrote: »

I only discovered last year that I had a file when I was asked some security questions from it, I got the answers wrong as I had no idea what was in the file.

I have some doubts as to whether you were asked questions from your credit file because it is continually changing. Security questions are usually chosen by a customer when setting up an account with a new bank.

pinmoney

The first i was aware of "credit score" having any effect on me was when we last bought/sold our house some 15 ish years ago when it was described by the financial adviser at the building society as "really very good". Since then, it seems to have grown as an "industry". As I understand it the only reason to be aware of your "credit score"(as something to "worry" about) is if you want to take out a loan or mortgage or enter into a long-term monetary agreement - and even then each moneylender organisation has their own criteria. Can anyone give me a really good reason why i should "worry" about mine? Sorry if that sounds naive, but I do think that "credit score" is an artificial and totally bogus standard.

HappyMJ

I check mine every month when Clearscore and Noddle do a search for free.

My credit report is unremarkable.

torbrex

Consumerist wrote: »

I have some doubts as to whether you were asked questions from your credit file because it is continually changing. Security questions are usually chosen by a customer when setting up an account with a new bank.

Are you telling me that the person on the phone from NS&I was lying to me then?
She said she was going to ask me 3 questions from my credit file that I should know the answers to so that she could verify who I was.

I know what was said to me, my question to you is 'How is it that you seem to know different?'

Consumerist

torbrex wrote: »

Are you telling me that the person on the phone from NS&I was lying to me then?
She said she was going to ask me 3 questions from my credit file that I should know the answers to so that she could verify who I was. I know what was said to me, my question to you is 'How is it that you seem to know different?'

What questions did she ask you?