Credit Rating Confusion

PinkGrapefruit_2

Hi, I've been reading this site for a while but this is my first ever post! I hope I get this right and don't sound daft. I'd really appreciate it if anyone who can help me out.

I wanted to check my credit rating as I've never done this before and haven't got a clue what state it is in. I signed up for the Credit Expert Experian 30 day trial. The thing is I'm none the wiser!! There appears to be no info on me at all, every section just says "no data retrieved for this section" is this normal/good/bad? I don't have any loans (other than my student loan which I know doesn't appear) and I don't have credit cards. But I thought it would show my overdraft/direct debits and times when I've gone overdrawn or missed dd payments, are these not taken into consideration? I know I could try the credit score but I don't really want to pay extra unless it will be useful. Is there a better way to find out if I have good/bad credit rating? Hope this makes sense!

thebaroness

A bank account would probably show on your credit file. Direct debits by themselves won't show up, unless you're paying back a credit agreement. Something like paying your TV licence by direct debit wouldn't be on there. Are you on the voter's roll and is that on your credit file? If not, perhaps it's possible that there's a problem with the address so information isn't showing up correctly.

I wouldn't pay to get your credit score from experian. It doesn't mean anything as all lenders use their own criteria. Having a good score on experian doesn't mean you'll get credit. Also, if you don't need credit and you haven't got any debt at the moment I wouldn't worry too much about it.

PinkGrapefruit_2

Thanks for your reply I am a bit clueless about the whole thing I was expecting to see all my DD's on there. I am on the voter's role but there's no mention of that or my bank account - or anything! I guess I shouldn't worry about it for now like you say. I'm not going to bother paying for the credit score as I've read a few people on this site who have also said it's pointless, I'm going to cancel my subscription before they try charging me

thebaroness

If you're on the voter's roll then that should show up. Do you live in a place with a flat number or a house name? Something different to the bog standard:
1, random street, random town, postcode.

Sometimes these things can be registered incorrectly meaning information won't show up. It's worth checking.

jamesd

Did you use your address exactly as given in the voter's roll? At the moment it appears that you have not really checked your credit record because that information has to be present if it exists. You might want to use any help features of the subscription before you cancel it.

exel1966

What you should expect to see on your credit report :-

• Public records: electoral roll information, court judgments, individual voluntary arrangements and bankruptcies
• Information provided by lenders and financial institutions: credit accounts, credit applications and financial associations

DD's never have and never should be shown, savings accounts will not be shown (personal a matter for you and your bank only). Not all current accounts will/can be shown as it will depend how old the account is and whether there is an overdraft attached to it or not. Accounts around 10 years old or greater will probably not be shown as the rules for reporting were different then.
ALL credit type accounts should be shown as well as electronic ID verification checks from utility type companies, mobile phones companies etc. Credit card, loan applications etc (successful or not) should be shown. Anyone financially linked to you should be shown, any address linked to you should be shown.

Having said all that, if the info isn't reported to the CRA's from the financial institutions then it could work in your favour. Remember CRA's ONLY record information given.

THIS link will give your further details.

PinkGrapefruit_2

Thanks everyone, that is a great help! Oh and as it happens I do have an odd address which can be written in a few different forms so that could be part of the problem, I'll look into it. It all makes a lot more sense now though:beer: