Smashed Credit File

angelpye

Hi,

I recently applied for 0% credit card as I wanted to transfer from my current card due to high interest rates but was only given 1/4 of what I applied for.

I decided to bite the bullet and look at my credit file. My cc1 has several markers of late payment which are true although when I paid the company (Barcl@ycard) said my file would not be adversely effected. The address on Noddle was wrong - I moved 2 years ago, electoral register wrong, and a few other bits.

I have asked Noddle to change my address and electoral register (although looks like they will want proof from council which I don't quite understand how the council will be able to confirm as they said proof of council tax is not proof of residence), I asked them to remove an address as it is the address my ex moved into when we split up.

All of my other accounts: Current bank, cc2, mobile, and current mortgage are all showing as paid on time.

I have several settled accounts of previous mortgages (one marker in 2011 which was actually a mistake) and a joint bank account that is marked as registered to disputed address (I guess my ex had the address added to account).

But also a settled account which is one of my current active credit cards cc2 - this is showing as settled in september 2016 with 3 late markers in 2016, 4 in 2015, 1 in 2014, 0 in 2013, 3 in 2012, 0 in 2011. My 'current' account for this card is all paid on time - showing as opened in September 2006 but the record starts sept 2016. I don't understand why that would be showing as a new account?

I know I have been irresponsible with not paying the cards on time as the money has always been available to do so but I have had a rough few years and found things overwhelming at times. I did originally have a direct debit set up for CC1 but twice they messed up my payments and left me stranded - both times admitting their mistake.

What action do I need to take to ensure my credit rating builds as quickly as possible? I realise that paying off as much as I can as quickly as possible is important and paying on time as I am currently at just under 90% of both credit CC1 (due to limit being lowered as result of late payments in a row)and CC2 and the new one is at £0.

How much would the other factors have affected the application I just did for the balance transfer cards?

I have been reading around this and I know you can only offer your opinion but any advice (as long as its not unnecessarily unkind) would be much appreciated.

Arleen

First step is to register for electoral roll at your local council. It will take some months for this to reflect on your credit files.

Second if there are actual mistakes on your file - report them with the CRAs, they will get fixed.

And for the future make sure to pay evertyhing on time and wait, as this is time has the biggest impact.

National_Debtline

Hi

There are three main credit reference agencies in the UK - Experian, Equifax and Call Credit. If you’ve only checked your credit reference information with Noddle (Call Credit) you should also check the other two. This is because a creditor may use one of those agencies instead when you apply for credit so you need to make sure your information is recorded correctly on all of them.

You can check the Equifax information for free on www.clearscore.com, and you can get a statutory copy of your Experian report here for £2 www.experian.co.uk/consumer/statutory-report.html .

This MSE guide to improving your credit history might also be useful.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/credit-rating-credit-score

James
@natdebtline

angelpye

Thank you Arleen and James,

I registered on the electoral roll recently so waiting for that to show up - I removed myself as I had a stalker type situation but have decided that as some time has passed it should be ok now.

I have reported all the corrections I can see with Noddle and will do the same with the others once I can get access - they don't seem to like my info even though it is 100% accurate as I have dates etc so waiting for them to get back to me. It was the same with Martins Credit Club as they couldn't verify me.

I dont understand how it all works, as I assumed given all my credit accounts are registered to this address that they would have this. Lesson learned to check it routinely!

I guess once I have done all corrections it is like you say Arleen, wait and let time hopefully heal my mistakes. I am paying down the debt as much as I possibly can which isn't much but its something and the debts, although big to me, are not massive.

Thank you for taking time to reply.