Sainsbury not updating credit report

EagleEyedMoneySaver

I have a credit card with Sainsbury Bank and since April this year have been working hard at paying off my debt. I have paid off over £2k between now and then with a view of improving my credit rating so I can get a cheaper rate for my existing home improvement loan and downsize my car finance. 

I recently tried to apply for a car finance deal (which would hopefully reduce my monthly payments by £60 per month!) however I was rejected. 

I had checked my reports before applying and had a fair-good rating and thought as I had been paying off my debts would be in a better position. 

I then checked my reports in detail across a number of reporting sources (MSE credit club, clear score, credit karma and totally money) and saw that the balance outstanding on my Sainsbury card was stuck at the figure recorded in April. 

I contacted Sainsbury's bank to raise this to see if it was an admin error and they replied saying due to COVID-19 they’ve been unable to update credit reports and don’t know when they will be able to do so. 

My question to you guys is wether this is ok or does it break some rule/convention that states they should be providing updated information to the credit agencies?

I’ve included images of the conversation and they have offered to provide a letter for me to take to a dealer when looking to get a car, but that wouldn’t have any weight as it all goes through the credit systems. So right now I’m stuck in not being able to improve my existing financial commitments as my rating isn’t inline with the work I’ve done to improve it. 

Is there any advice or help you can provide? 

[Deleted User]

It's fine for them not to provide updates but anything they do provide gas to be accurate.

It's not clear from your post there there have been inaccurate updates since April or none.

The lenders aren't looking at your rating, but your credit circumstances. A 2k difference in indebtedness is unlikely to be making the difference, unless you're a very marginal case, in which case you would be better off waiting until you've cleared more of your existing debt.

EagleEyedMoneySaver

Thanks for replying, I appreciate the help on this!

There have been no updates since April so the reports are showing ‘No Data’ since then. 

I thought that paying off the debt and reducing my overall credit usage levels (going from 80% in April to now less than 50%) would improve my circumstances and therefore look better to lenders?

Would that not be the case? 

HWBY

Things are indeed moving slower due to COVID19, so don't be too alarmed. Mt credit card took nearly two months to reflect me paying off a big chunk and getting the limit increased.

Reducing your credit utilisation will look better, yes.

molerat

My Tesco, Santander, Virgin, Halifax, MBNA  & TSB credit cards have all been updated correctly and on time with the CRAs every month.  Strange that Sainsbury's can't seem to get an automated process to continue working correctly.

funkycredit

They've also removed the increase limit facility temporarily. Of the many quirks of using them I suppose. 

Emzlyz

molerat said:

My Tesco, Santander, Virgin, Halifax, MBNA  & TSB credit cards have all been updated correctly and on time with the CRAs every month.  Strange that Sainsbury's can't seem to get an automated process to continue working correctly.

Is your Halifax account for a credit card? Mines not updated since 10th May and I've contacted them 3 times to get it updated but they say they are experiencing delays. I paid off a chunk if it in May and just waiting for it to reflect on my report