Credit score with change of address

cmbrookes

Evening 

I've checked my score with equifax and it's gone from excellent to poor, the reason it gives is because of my change of address with the electoral register. It says I'm registered with my local council which I already knew but then it says years at address is zero and this is affecting it. I've lived at my current address since January and been registered on the register since February.  Surley only being at my current address for 7 months wouldn't take my score from excellent to poor?? 

[Deleted User]

Yes it would, but it doesn't matter. Good changes lower your score, just as bad ones do.

Changing address can impact your credit worthiness in the short term, but it's simply a part of life and nothing to worry about.

cmbrookes

OK so now my chances of getting credit have decreased dramatically just because I've changed address when everything else on my report is perfect? I've just checked my score with experience and thats still 999 excellent but equifax shows poor.

[Deleted User]

No. As I explained to you, it's a short term effect when you move  You say you've already been in your new home for seven months.

Your pretend credit scores are irrelevant. Lenders only look at the data on your files.

sourcrates

Ignore the score, just look at the data, credit scores are just for marketing purposes.

Please read the thread at the top of this forum entitled "what your credit score really means".

Questions about scores dropping, rising or generally not doing as they should, are asked every single day on here.

Alex9384

cmbrookes said:

OK so now my chances of getting credit gave decreased dramatically just because I've changed address when everything else on my report is perfect? I've just checked my score with experience and thats still 999 excellent but equifax shows poor.

In the UK you don't have a credit score. It doesn't matter what number Experian shows you. It's made up by Experian and lenders don't see it. They only see your credit history. Each lender have their own internal scoring system that differs from lender to lender and they score you secretly (you can't see this score).

If you are curious about your creditworthiness, go to websites like Lloyds, American Express, Santander, etc., and use their eligibility checker. It won't affect your credit files and it will show you what are your chances to get credit from them. Still not 100% accurate, but much much more accurate than your "score".

Nebulous2

I moved in February and one of the CRAs still hasn't caught up, though the other two seem to be getting there. You need to ensure all your reported accounts are registered at your new address. I had moved my EE mobile phone, but somehow they hadn't transferred the address for my broadband account. 

Thankfully I'm not sure if I'll ever need credit again - so it doesn't matter what the CRAs or anyone else says. 

Alex9384

Nebulous2 said:

Thankfully I'm not sure if I'll ever need credit again - so it doesn't matter what the CRAs or anyone else says. 

You still need to check it to make sure you're not a victim of fraud such as new account opened in your name.

Nebulous2

Alex9384 said:

Nebulous2 said:

Thankfully I'm not sure if I'll ever need credit again - so it doesn't matter what the CRAs or anyone else says. 

You still need to check it to make sure you're not a victim of fraud such as new account opened in your name.

Oh I do check, I’m registered with all 3 free services. If anything I’m checking more than before, to see how they deal with my address change.

However the confusion and the way one CRA moved me to my new address, then moved me back again, has no valid interest for me, as I don’t need credit. 

[Deleted User]

OliRichards said:

Registering on the electoral roll is proven to help your credit score - not lower it. Upon checking the Clear Score website (they are a third party affliate of Equifax, as they provide Equifax credit score) the following statement appears - 'Your address doesn’t affect your credit score. However, it affects what information appears on your report, which can affect your score. Moving house too often can also make you look less stable, which might discourage some lenders from giving you credit' - If you have not already, make sure all your creditors/ lenders have your most up to date address, as they may not be reporting your payment behaviour under the new address.Also check through your free online statutory credit report with Equifax to make sure there are no negative markers.
If you are looking to rebuild your credit score with Equifax, I know a credit building company called Portify that offers a membership for £9 per month - it could help you build your credit score with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion!

New member, 3 out of 4 of your posts are pushing a company who charges for advice people could get for free on here and also repeating the credit score myth. Smells like spiced ham to me.

DCFC79

Yes I changed my address earlier this year, apparently my score went down but it didn't matter one iota as no one I repeat no one can even see the score.