getting a better credit history

Creditscoredream

hi all ,

I could do with some help in getting my credit score up.

I have been rather relaxed about bills and payments well always which has caused me to have a low score but the last 6 years has actually been a lot better that being said I've been working on my credit score and have gone from 270 to 440 in a year.

This is still a poor score so wanting to get this up but can't work out why it's so low when I hear what other people's scores are. Someone with a higher end good score with 4 defaults for a lot of money and someone with a ccj and lots of defaults also a lot higher?

My credit score shows I have 1 default about 3 years old for £45 not settled with Lowell group for a mobile which I believe is when I switched from one provider to another.

I also have a ccj settled from about 3 years ago for £270 or so. This was due to a service charge on a properly which I rented out which was sent to that address. I paid it but must of been a day or 2 late.

Otherwise I have been with my bank over 14 years
Have a credit card over 10 years possible 1 late payment

I have taken out 2 credit cards just now to try and get some more credit history with good payments history. This will hit my score I presume but hope will get it higher.

So any help on how to get this up? Is my history too sparse?

I know people say your score doesn't matter but it really done this low means I can't get any decent credit card aprs and definitely no loans or mortgage so would love a very good score in the next year or two.

Thank you

[Deleted User]

Your score is irrelevant. Some people have high scores, some low, all are meaningless.

If you really want a high score, bankruptcy is still a reliable way to get it. Only downside is that you won't get any further credit from anyone.

The other option is to stay 18 years old and never take out credit, but you don't have that option now.

You need to look at your credit history only. Settle your defaults, make sure you're on the ER, clear your cards in full each month (once you get the statement). That, plus time, will make you look better in the eyes of lenders.

Creditscoredream

Pay off my credit card each month , on the electoral roll. bar waiting 2 years to have the ccj and default fall off I can't work it how to get my credit worthiness and so my credit score up. You say it's meaningless but it shows how you are seen my possible creditors and mine is meaning I cannot open some bank accounts , can't get a loan or a mortgage. So I'm trying to find out what I can do.

I've Seen some one has 3 defaults with about £10k and a credit card debt and missed payments and they have a better rating than me.

Superscrooge

You are never going to have an excellent score whilst you have ccj's and defaults on your file.

Keep paying your credit cards in full each month and as your previous misdemeanours become older, your credit file will improve and you will look less risky to lenders.

Don't get obsessed by your score. Equifax and Experian have virtually identical data on me. Equifax rate me as 'good'. Experian rate me as 'poor'. The information on your file is far more important that the arbitrary score you are given.

[Deleted User]

Creditscoredream wrote: »

I can't work it how to get my credit worthiness and so my credit score up. You say it's meaningless but it shows how you are seen my possible creditors

No. It show how you're seen by a company that doesn't lend money.

Creditscoredream wrote: »

I've Seen some one has 3 defaults with about £10k and a credit card debt and missed payments and they have a better rating than me.

Makes you wonder whether the scores are in any way accurate, doesn't it.

PixelPound

Creditscoredream wrote: »

You say it's meaningless but it shows how you are seen my possible creditors and mine is meaning I cannot open some bank accounts , can't get a loan or a mortgage. So I'm trying to find out what I can do.

I've Seen some one has 3 defaults with about £10k and a credit card debt and missed payments and they have a better rating than me.

It's meaningless because creditors can't see it. That "someone" doesn't have a 3 year old CCJ, and you don't say whether the defaults that someone has have been satisfied or like you unsatisfied.

Look at when your default/CCJ will be 6 years old and aim for then for future loan/mortgage and show responsible debt management e.g. manage the cards you have, don't miss payments and preferably pay off in full unless you need the debt. Don't forget about the unsettled default, for the sake of £45 you don't want another CCJ down the line.

Did you take the cards out simply to try and boost your credit rating :eek: