Credit rating for stay-at-home mum!!

Gollygumdrops

I was wondering if someone can advise me on my credit rating. I can't surely be the only woman (and perhaps in future it will relate to non-working stay-at-home men) who is having a problem with opening accounts etc. Even the MSE Experian does not recognise me!

Firstly, I have lived in my current address, with hubby, for 26 years! I have also banked with a major high street bank for 37 years(gulp) although, with hubbys name too, we have chopped and changed many others over the years! FD, Nationwide, Santander etc.

I was born here and have been on the electoral roll since 18 and never had so much as a late payment on ANY loan, including mortgage - joint names (now paid off).

However, despite the fact that I, me personally, have always ensured bills were paid, (DH wouldn't know who, how or what we have paid!) I don't appear on Experian!
I have several bills, (telephone broadband) in my name as well as several savings accounts but I don't seem to exist, even though I am listed on all previous and current bank accounts with my DH.

I seem to have slipped through the net because I do not earn or receive benefits but I have noticed lately that trying to open further savings accounts, the banks seem to want extra documentation than they should really need, and it is getting very annoying!

Perhaps Martin can champion us non-working people and get the credit companies to look at all things - like the electoral roll, all banks and all accounts before they decide they can't find us!

Would be great to get any helpful advice.

sparelogin

Raise a query with Experian so they can locate you.

Remember also to check and do the same with Equifax and Call Credit.

Gollygumdrops

Thanks sparelogin. I shall do that.
Just surprised no other mums or dads have experienced this "void" for not actually earning or receiving an income! (It is about 8 years!)

SuperHan

Your employer wouldn't report to the CRAs anyway, so having a job is unlikley to make a difference in your situation.


Are you sure you are inputting your details exactly correctly? I had a similar issue where the system was seeing the first line of my address as my name and couldn't find me as a result.


You being on the electoral roll, having a bank account in your name (and in joint names) and having phone contracts etc should make you 'findable' - having a job is just about the one thing that won't increase your chances of having your identity verified.

Aced2016

Not having a job or benefits makes zero difference. You need to check with experian to ensure you are located. Perhaps your address is listed wrong. And perhaps you've had your bank accounts that long and before they reported to the CRAs, perhaps that's the issue.

But certainly nothing to do with not working !

Candyapple

Savings accounts and regular bills such as phone/broadband don't get reported to the credit reference agencies. A few water / gas companies do report to the CRAs, but not all.

The only extra documentation most banks would need if they can't find you electronically is photo ID (which should be easy enough if you have a driving licence / passport) and proof of address in the form of another bank/credit statement or council tax letter. I don't think I've ever been asked for any further ID documents when opening a savings account - what exactly are the banks asking you for?

All loans/mortgages etc. which have been paid off only stay on your credit file for 6 years.

You having a job / being on benefits has no relevance to having a credit history so that's neither here nor there. The only time it would be relevant is if you applied for something e.g. a credit card.

If you can't be 'found' by either Experian, Equifax or Call Credit - then either you have entered the wrong information on their Q&A test that they give to everyone who wants to see a copy of their credit report or the agency themselves have made a mistake. Raise queries with all of the CRAs and see what they say.

The free versions to check your credit files are below:
Experian: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/creditclub
Equifax: https://www.clearscore.com
Call Credit: https://www.noddle.co.uk