MSE Credit Club moving from Experian to Transunion

artyboy

Just got an email from MSE basically stating the above. No specific timeline, but the key question is, are there any alternative free sources to my Experian file once the switch happens?

molerat

Can't find anywhere.  TransUnion seem to be the tarts in the game, all LBG sites and CapitalOne CreditWise - I am sure they used a different provider previously - use them.

This quite a major upset.

fatbelly

No, but it's possible Experian might find another partner after they lose mse.

You can always get a free statutory report, and checkmyfile is free if you can remember to cancel within one month

[Deleted User]

Real shame as Experian was the most useful. Presumably they want people to pay. Oh well. 

Brie

I fail to see what the issue is.  Having seen a number of both Experian and Transunion reports I think there's very little difference between the two.  Unless of course the MSE versions of these will vary.

@molerat
I'm interested why you think it's a big disappointment.

Grumpy_chap

Brie said:

I fail to see what the issue is.  

At present it is possible to see all the main CRAs via one of the free services.
This change means the Experian records will not be available in that way.
While the credit scores are of limited value, being able to see the core data on all three sites and check for errors or unrecognised events is beneficial.

artyboy

Grumpy_chap said:

Brie said:

I fail to see what the issue is.  

At present it is possible to see all the main CRAs via one of the free services.
This change means the Experian records will not be available in that way.
While the credit scores are of limited value, being able to see the core data on all three sites and check for errors or unrecognised events is beneficial.

Indeed. I have a healthy mistrust of any organisation reporting to a CRA. This was  reinforced over the past few months by EoN, who suddenly decided to start reporting my electric/gas account, and said - incorrectly - I was on an arrangement to pay. There's a separate thread on this somewhere because it was clearly affecting other people too. 

It was only reported to Equifax, and without access to my file there, I'd never have known it was getting trashed unless I was checking that file via ClearScore. Or until I actually applied for something and got rejected.

So no, I don't share Brie's ambivalence here...

MrFrugalFever

I think this is a big disappointment as now that means there is no 'free' access to a full Experian credit report without going through their 'Statutory Credit Report' application process, which is painful in comparison to Equifax and TransUnion. Why they have to send a letter in the post rather than an email with a code is beyond me.

From my own personal experience, it seems that Experian is the most preferred/used CRA by lenders with TransUnion coming in second and Equifax third - again, from my own experience here!

Lets hope another avenue to access the Experian full report for free arises as a result.

James

In this day and age it's ironic that the Credit Reference companies don't have a one-stop shop for::-

requesting your Credit Report (to check with all three if you suspect you've been a victim of fraud)
adding a Notice of Correction with may apply to ALL those who view your report;

After all if you're a victim, or suspected victim of fraud, they (Credit Ref Agencies) have the means of alerting each other automatically.

It  is pathetic to think a company such as Experian, makes loads of dosh from OUR info, then wont allow you free instant access to your report.   

Come on Experian, or you may find consumers refusing to allow you access to their data, how I don't know. YET!

molerat

Brie said:

I fail to see what the issue is.  Having seen a number of both Experian and Transunion reports I think there's very little difference between the two.  Unless of course the MSE versions of these will vary.

@molerat
I'm interested why you think it's a big disappointment.

There is very little difference except when there is.  Not all report to all CRAs, that is why it is important to have access to all 3.

masonic

Brie said:

I fail to see what the issue is.  Having seen a number of both Experian and Transunion reports I think there's very little difference between the two.  Unless of course the MSE versions of these will vary.

@molerat
I'm interested why you think it's a big disappointment.

TransUnion misses most of my hard searches and a couple of my non-bank credit accounts. Experian seems to be used by the most financial institutions for this purpose, but all three CRAs hold different information on me related to searches, because few financial institutions search all three.

At least you no longer need to pay £2 for the statutory report.