Experian & Clear Score can't find me?!

alwayslemons

I tried signing up recently to both Experian and Clear Score to check my credit rating, and neither could confirm my identity. There isn't a lot of info on the website to explain why that is, but it seems like I'm just not on the system at all, like I don't exist. I've been working on and off since I left school 15 years ago, and I've lived at the same address for the past 8 years. (I live with my partner who bought the property before we met, and I pay rent to him monthly.)

I've always assumed I had a dodgy credit rating. In my 20's I was the only one of my housemates who was actually on the lease so everything went through me, and I lived with some terribly unreliable people who never paid their rent on time. As a result I was frequently overdrawn (and with no arranged overdraft - I got charged about £30 a time by the bank.) 

I made a couple of other stupid decisions - I had dental treatment once and they had to chase me a bit for the money as I lost my job at the worst possible time. (I paid the bill in full within a couple of months, I just panicked and didn't handle it very well). That was 12 years ago. I've always been on a very low income, usually zero hour and close to minimum wage. I was self employed for a bit but not any more. I've applied for an overdraft maybe 3-4 times in my adult life and have always been refused. I've never had a mobile phone contract either - never applied as I assumed they'd refuse. 

In the past 8-10 years I've been far more reliable with my money. I still don't have much of it, but I live well within my means and I've had no debt or anything. In January I applied for an Aqua credit building credit card and was accepted, and I've been really good about paying it off. They've increased my limit to £2500, which I never get near. So I applied for the first time for a mobile phone contract, as I can definitely afford the £50 a month now and I hoped I might have done enough to prove that. However, I was refused. I assumed this was down to lingering bad credit which is why I tried signing up with Experian and Clear Score in the first place, but now it seems I'm just not on their radar at all which I think might be worse! I have no idea how to fix this. I bank with Monzo. I also have a NatWest savings account... but it's empty.

Can anyone shed light on the situation please? I would like a decent credit rating and access to it so I can see it for myself and know where I'm at.

Thanks

alwayslemons

Also, I am on the electoral roll.

PRAISETHESUN

It sounds like you've got a thin file credit file if all you have is a credit card and a current account (savings account don't report to your credit files). In any case I'd submit a SAR to all 3 CRAs - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion requesting a copy of your statutory credit report. They should ask for ID if/when they are unable to verify you. They are legally obliged to provide this information if you ask, so keep pestering them until they do.

Once you have your reports, you can assess any damage that may be impacting your inability to get credit.

chrichi

Try requesting your report via post.
I'm not allowed to post links, but just Google "Application for your Statutory Experian Credit Report pdf"

Laureng23

I am trying to get onto Experian to check my credit rating as i have been turned down for a bank account, however the information which Experian is using to verify my identity is not relevant to me (which I expect indicates that the information they have about me is incorrect), therefore I cannot make an account, and therefore cannot contact them.  Please can anyone let me know an alternative way to contact Experian?
Thanks

D3xt3r5L4b

Laureng23 said:

I am trying to get onto Experian to check my credit rating as i have been turned down for a bank account, however the information which Experian is using to verify my identity is not relevant to me (which I expect indicates that the information they have about me is incorrect), therefore I cannot make an account, and therefore cannot contact them.  Please can anyone let me know an alternative way to contact Experian?
Thanks

What information?

If you mean the multiple-choice questions just pick the answer at the bottom that says “none of the above”.