Unable to view Credit File report on Experian

s_r

Hi All. I am unable to view my Experian credit report - never works for me. I am able to view ClearScore and Credit Karma reports without any issues.

However, Experian always hits me with "Unfortunately we have been unable to verify your identity online at this time." - I recently moved (November 2020) but have resided in the UK for over 20 years! 

Hence, I just wondered if anyone else has experienced any issues when trying to view their report on Experian?

Thanks for reading.

[Deleted User]

Why not contact Experian and ask them what they need to verify your ID?
Have you tried via the MSE Credit Club?

PRAISETHESUN

I agree - you need to contact Experian and request they verify your identity. I had to do that a few years back and once that happened my access issues were sorted. A formal complaint may be necessary if they drag their feet about it, but it should all sort itself out.

s_r

Thank you both.

I called Experian and they closed my account (which they could only do as 90 days had lapsed since I created my account) and they asked me to create a new account... did that, and the same issue yet again! Now I have to wait for another spell of 90 days apparently (after which I may just give up trying to use Experian!)

[Deleted User]

s_r said:

Thank you both.

I called Experian and they closed my account (which they could only do as 90 days had lapsed since I created my account) and they asked me to create a new account... did that, and the same issue yet again! Now I have to wait for another spell of 90 days apparently (after which I may just give up trying to use Experian!)

You don't need an account (especially a paid for one) to use Experian, the MSE Credit Club gives you access to your Experian data. You will always need to check all 3 of the main agencies in the UK if you are thinking of getting credit or to protect against ID fraud

s_r

Thanks for the great suggestion guys - was completely unaware of MSE Credit Club and managed to get my Experian report through it and all looks well. I just wanted to ensure that all three reports (Experian, Credit Karma, ClearScore) have correct data, which thankfully, is the case.

Kdray

I had the exact same issue for months!

I used a fresh email in the end (my work email) and it worked! 

PRAISETHESUN

You don't need to create an Experian account to get your data - it helps to access it on an on-going basis but it is not actually needed. You have a legal right to access your data under GDPR so at the bare minimum if you send them a request for your "statutory credit report" they are legally obliged to provide you with this information within 1 calendar month of you making a request. Experian do need to satisfy themselves you are making a genuine request, but that is factored into the required timescale. Unless you are slow to provide the info they need then it should be fairly quick - 90 days is way too long.

I use MSE credit Club for my Experian data but I also had issues getting access that way until I sorted out the underlying issues with Experian. You may find you still need to sort things out with Experian anyway, but it's worth a shot.

s_r

Thanks, yes. I will have to wait for 90 days and then call Experian to ask them to close my account (as you have rightly pointed out, I can simply use MSE Credit Club to view the Experian report when needed). Thanks once again.