MSE Poll: When did you last check your credit file?

MSE_Petar

Poll started 2 June 2020

Your credit file can strongly influence whether you get a particular mortgage, credit card deal, mobile phone contract or cheap energy tariff, and sometimes even the rate. So a small error on your files at credit reference agencies Experian, Equifax and TransUnion can cause havoc – but when did you last check yours? 

(If you want to find out how to check your credit file, see our Credit Report guide.)

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Did you vote? Are you surprised at the results so far? Have your say below.
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jasdev

Erm, does this mean checking the full credit report (i.e. the long-form) or just monitoring your periodic updates from the big three agencies like how MSE Credit Club helps you do?

[Deleted User]

Three weeks ago from probably a 2 year gap after being slung into credit card paydown when first week of March the credit card company said they 'assess your situation' which never happened in my situation and this credit risk for 37% was subsequently able to borrow for 29% for first time in years.
Pleasantly surprised/confused.com
Last self help finance check also couple of weeks back but Stepchange doesn't recognise paydown and so their quoted contractual interest was actually wrong. Quite worrying if that is where you go for help. 

DebbyInDebt

I've gone from being so in denial and afraid to even look at my credit report or open letters, to obsessed and checking every day now that I've made a plan to pay off my debts and turn it around.

Bextwinmuma

I regularly check with Experian which has been clear. I’ve just applied for a mortgage but the lender  uses Equifax which flagged up a default. I printed off the full report which showed ‘payment not received in Nov 2016’
I spoken with agents who can’t find the account/amount. I’ve sent numerous emails & letters with proof to eon yet still no response as to where this default comes from or if it is even mine. I have a limited amount of time on my mortgage in principal to get this rectified otherwise the lender has advised they will refuse the mortgage. I’ve worked so hard to keep my credit rating good. I’m putting a 98k deposit down on a £205k  house but could lose it for £303. I’m so frustrated at eon and appalled at there lack of customer service. 

[Deleted User]

Unable to vote as no field to click into, how have others done that ???
I never check my report.
I have 1 credit card and 1 mortgage  i already know both sets of information down to the last penny so precious little else to check there, i don't buy into the hype at all.

comeandgo

Have never checked it,  I have always been under the impression this is just a big money making con.  You will either get credit or you won't, paying to see what's on file about you won't change that.

[Deleted User]

No, but it'll tell you if you're being declined because of an error you could easily fix.

D3xt3r5L4b

comeandgo said:

Have never checked it,  I have always been under the impression this is just a big money making con.  You will either get credit or you won't, paying to see what's on file about you won't change that.

Use the free services instead then?