How do I access my credit report without 3 years worth of addresses?

hellomoney789

Hi everyone.

I moved to the UK 9 months ago and have two bank accounts and a credit card. Also registered on the electoral roll.

I was trying to access my credit report from various websites and it's impossible because they all ask 3 years worth of addresses. I lived in Australia before so, of course, that's not possible for me to provide, and it's not possible to provide addresses from abroad.

What should I do?

Willing2Learn

Try to access your statutory reports direct from the Credit Reference Agencies.

They are:
Experian = https://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/statutory-report.html
Equifax = https://www.equifax.co.uk/Products/credit/statutory-report.html
TransUnion = https://www.callcreditstatreport.co.uk/

Edit: And welcome to the forum

PRAISETHESUN

When I first moved to the UK I had this issue a lot, and I still do from time to time. Some websites will allow you to enter foreign address history as a part of your 3 years, whilst others won't let you complete the form as they have a mandatory UK postcode section. As above though, you are able to request copies of your statutory reports directly from the CRAs - they are legally obliged to provide this information to you if asked. The hurdle is usually getting them to identify you properly - a lack of address history won't be a problem here as long as you can provide proof of your current UK details. If they can't match you to your information electronically, they will usually ask for copies of ID documents - once provided this was enough in my experience to allow them to provide access to my reports.

hellomoney789

I tried a couple of months ago on Experian and Equifax, and they both couldn't verify my identity.

I tried again last week but because I was already registered on those websites, I couldn't even re-check, every time I logged in, they said something like 'We couldn't verify you etc etc.'.

Very frustrating..

Should I contact them by phone?

[Deleted User]

You can try.

Or you can get 3 years of address history behind you as per the requirements?

PRAISETHESUN

@OP you should definitely get in touch with them - if you have any reference numbers from your original attempts to verify yourself then I'd also get those together as well. You definitely shouldn't wait for 3 years as unhelpfully suggested above as you have a legal right to your personal information that isn't voided just because "computer says no". The system is set up to protect unauthorised people from accessing your personal information when they shouldn't (which is how it should be IMO), but sometimes non-standard situations like these fall through the cracks. Give them a call and explain your situation and ask what documentation you can provide to verify your identity - there are processes in place for this. It might take a while, but it should eventually get sorted and you'll have access to your credit reports.

gionnetto

hellomoney789 wrote: »

I tried a couple of months ago on Experian and Equifax, and they both couldn't verify my identity.

I tried again last week but because I was already registered on those websites, I couldn't even re-check, every time I logged in, they said something like 'We couldn't verify you etc etc.'.

Very frustrating..

Should I contact them by phone?

Yes, you phone them and they'll tell you what they need in order to verify your identity. All you need is to do it once, then you'll be able to get your statutory reports as often as you wish.

The likes of Credit Karma and Clearscore only work if you have 3 years of history. Experian takes ages to verify you but it's worth it.