Credit Report Clean Up

MadameGeorge

Hi all,

Newbie here looking for some tips and advice from the lovely folks here.

BACKGROUND
I went through sequestration in 2010 after an awful year previous. I was going through a divorce, like the way it is for a lot of people and my ex wouldn't co-operate on our joint debts. He left the country and left me with them. So I was discharged in 2011 and now I'm working on the clean up.

Fortunately I managed to get a private rental through a letting agent in the summer 2009 and I've lived there ever since. I'm now concerned if I move that I'll fail the credit check with the BR having happened since. It's not my only woe but it's one.

NODDLE
I've applied for my Noddle (CallCredit) which has some bits of concern. Namely my ex is still showing as an association. They have accepted my application & explanation for having him removed and that should update soon. Will that improve my score/status?

My BR is showing as due to drop off in August so that seems fine I guess *gulp* I note that my mortgage and another for a sold on debt are showing in my closed account area. Can anyone advise when these drop in the summer is my score likely to improve slightly?

EXPERIAN
On application with Experian I was asked to offer 6 years of alias names. I offered only that. Not my married name as we divorced in 2009. However I note that this alias is showing on my Noddle. Should all previous names be declared even if you no longer associate with them and they're from such a time ago? Why does Experian ask for 6 years worth if others do not?

Experian has no info on my BR or old debts, is this due to the alias question?

Both Experian and Noddle only date my Electoral Roll info back to the Referendum, whereas it should be 6+ years. I've written to my Council and asked them to confirm this. Will having this info updated with the CRA affect my credit status?

I'm showing as 1/5 between very poor and poor on Noddle. Experian is showing nada in the way of a score. Do Experian only offer a score with the subscription service?

At present my only info in the account sections are my current account with Barclays (7 year old unblemished) and my mobile with EE which has a 10 year unblemished history. I have had BT landline and broadband for almost 7 years, should this show?

And lastly, sorry for all the curiousness...as I work my way through self improvement and building my credit once again, can anyone advise if Credit Union products are worthwhile for improving matters? Would they link to my credit report if I were to be successful for something small? I have no credit cards, loans or catalogues at the minute.

Thank you for reading

[Deleted User]

The CRAs only show what is reported to them, which will explain some of the differences.

Removing a financial association is wise if you cannot influence how they manage their credit.

Please ignore all score the CRAs give you. None of thme m will be lending you any money and do not know the criteria of those who will. Focusing on the scores will lead you to take the wrong actions.

The best way of building a credit history is through sensible use of a credit card, clearing in full each month.

MadameGeorge

Hi zx81, thanks so much for replying. I appreciate your notes on credit scoring. You're quite right, it probably puts folk in the wrong mindset and down the wrong path.

As for previous name, such as my married name (now divorced) should that always be showing? Experian asked for 6 year history of name only.

I'm not quite fit for a credit card application yet as far as soft searches go. That's why I had Credit Union in mind for a small loan as something that would show and hopefully help.

Thanks for replying

Thrugelmir

If a mortgage is you aim. Then start saving with a Help to Buy ISA. Demonstrating an ability to save on a regular basis is better than borrowing money unnecessarily.

MadameGeorge

Hi Thrugelmir,

I'm not sure if it's qualify for a Help to Buy ISA as I had a mortgage in the past which was part of my BR. Also, at the moment I'm not long after having paid 3 years of IPA during the BR so everything spare save from my £11 emergency money was taken understandably. So I've not much in the way of savings and to ensure I can keep a roof over my head I need to have enough saved to move into another rental - if the landlord changes things here. I am saving for what I hope to be a deposit but I need it accessible should I have the need to move accommodation. As it builds, I'll separate and compartmentalise the savings.

Thanks - does anyone have any info on whether BT should be listed on my credit reports? And how are the Credit Union for improving your credit worthiness?

Mummyto4kids

If you don't declare another name to experian they'll still report on it to financial institutions who carry out a credit check. I fell foul of this last year. I didn't realise my profile wasn't being reported to me 100% because one of my previous names was missing. They don't ask for alias names when you register for their service so they only report against the names you give them for the past few years. You have to complete an alias form which they'll send you and then they'll update your profile with all of the data. It's best to do this because then you'll be able to see exactly what a bank can see about you

MadameGeorge

Thank you for making that area clear Mummyto4... I shall download the form and get that area ironed out. Frustrating that there's not just the one CRA to deal with. One step at a time I guess! Noodle (Call Credit) have accepted my disassociation from my ex statement so I'm waiting to see if there's any slight nudge of improvement for that or just how it looks on my record. Can't wait for a cleaner record come the summer but under no illusion that it's still uphill.