Credit File

Good post - it makes sense to consolidate this info. given that it's a FAQ. I've added some more details -

- Online application

- Online application

- Application form - postal requests only.

All £2 each - the more expensive reports are a waste of money, as are the services to calculate your credit score, as different lenders use different formulas.

The sorts of things which influence credit scores are -

Length of time at address Length of time in current job Length of time bank account held Homeowner or renting Salary/Income Loan repayments Current loan balances Total loans available CCJ's Loan payment history

Previous posts on the subject -

Credit Repair Agencies - Information on what is, and isn?t possible -

Debt related links and helplines on my webpage

Daytona

Also, remember to give them all your addresses for the last six years.

"Daytona" wrote

Nitpick: the free trial of Experian's online system is good value :-)

The paid version at 50 a year is a waste of rather a lot of money though.

"John Redman" wrote

I don't agree - it's actually very good value for money!

Try getting your credit report **each week** for under 50 via the "2 per go" route!!

Also, there are also other added benefits - all at no extra cost. Bargain!

Why would you need it every week? Creditors don't update it more than once a month and why would you want to see it that often? Even if you did it's only

Unless you've got some bad debts registered at a previous address they haven't yet linked you to.

ISTR they state in the small print that all addresses given will be linked.

Daytona

"John Redman" wrote

If you have several dozen credit accounts, then there are usually a few of them which are updated each week (even though each a/c is only updated monthly) ...

"John Redman" wrote

Let's suppose that you are the victim of identity theft, someone uses your name & details to get credit. Would you like to leave it several months before you find out??

In article , Daytona writes

Wouldn't accept my card yesterday and is down today. Something afoot, methinks.

How would looking at my credit report prevent or highlight that?

"John Redman" wrote

Obviously it wouldn't *prevent* it, but it would definitely *highlight* it immediately - giving you a chance to sort it out **at the start**.

When you first see new credit accounts on your report (which *you* haven't applied for), you get in touch with the relevant institution and get them to either prove it was you, or remove the account from *your* file.