Bad Credit
Sorting Out Problems With Your Credit File
It may be that incorrect details on your credit file are giving the appearance of bad credit. But bad credit or otherwise, before you can sort out any problems that there may be with your credit file, you need to know what is being held about you.
You are fully entitled to the information held by credit reference agencies it will usually cost you around £2 (more if using their online services). There are three main credit reference agencies in the UK and so if you want the best picture it is probably worthwhile getting details from them all.
Alternatively you can ask any company that turns you down for credit which agencies they use, and then contact only those agencies, the choice is yours.
Below are details of the main credit reference agencies in the UK along with their web address.
- Experian www.experian.co.uk
- Equifax www.equifax.co.uk
- Callcredit www.callcredit.co.uk
All the agencies above will offer you online services for checking your credit, but remember it will be more expensive to sign up to an online service than it will send off for a paper copy. Unfortunately these days with identity theft being an all to common occurrence it may be worthwhile checking your credit file at regular intervals. Remember you do not just need to have bad credit to make checking your credit file beneficial.
To find out more about protecting yourself from identity theft visit the Home Office Identity Theft website.
If you don't want to wait, and would like to find out information online then Check My File is a site worth mentioning as here you will be able to check your credit record from one or all of the three agencies above from one place, see their details below.
- CheckMyFile www.checkmyfile.co.uk
Sometimes the details held about you by the credit reference agencies may be wrong, which could have an impact on your credit details giving the appearance of bad credit, as previously mentioned, this could even be as a result of identity theft. If you find incorrect details you can request to have this information removed, you will probably have to provide proof before this will be done.
NEVER go to one of the "Credit Repair Agencies" always approach the credit reference agencies yourself to discuss your concerns.
In the event that the credit reference agency refuses to amend your credit file, you can appeal to the Information Commissioner's Office at Wycliffe House, Water Lane Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF. Alternatively you can call them on 01625 545745, or visit their website www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk