How to check your credit report file FOR FREE!

Yes, there is a simple way to check your credit report file FOR FREE!

Here’s how…

Equifax, Experian and TransUnion UK are credit agencies that hold your credit report file. 

It is financially savvy to ensure that you check all three companies at least once a year for the information that they hold on you. This can be checked for free by using sites such as Clearscore and Credit Karma. 

Any inconsistencies need to be amended. You need to check:

• Whether you have any unfair defaults on your file
• Whether you have the correct addresses on old accounts
• If you are still financially linked to someone whom you may have had a previous financial relationship with but no longer do
• What credit store cards you may still have in circulation that are no longer used
• Whether you are still cited on the electoral roll at your current address

Bear in mind that credit agencies offer a free statutory report and you have the right to request this. It is a basic report only containing information as outlined above. It does not contain your “credit score” or any other information that is usually found in your full credit report. 

In order to gain your full credit report file, you need to visit the agencies as referenced above.

Experian

Possibly the most comprehensive of the three agencies because it is the largest credit reference agency and most commonly used by lenders. 

You can check your report for free by visiting Experian’s CreditExpert. This provides you with a 30 day free trial which then reverts to a £14.99 per month service. We’d say take the trial to obtain your full report for free and then cancel before the subscription kicks in. It gives you real time information and also offers an eligibility tracker so at least you can gain some indication on how likely you are to be offered credit. 

As we know, relying on a “credit score” is a mistake because there is no one universal number because credit scores do not really exist, however if you do not want to pay the monthly subscription, yet you want to keep on top of your financial rating with Experian, then you can sign up for free to view your score which updates every 30 days. You cannot view your credit report this way. 

Equifax

Clearscore gives you free access to your monthly Equifax Credit Report, which is updated every 30 days and also has an eligibility tracker for peace of mind. 

Alternatively if you want something more in depth then you can sign up to their monthly subscription. As with Experian, Equifax offer a free 30 day trial to their Credit Report and Score package which then reverts to £7.95 per month. 

TransUnion UK

TransUnion use Credit Karma to give you free access to your credit report. This information is updated every seven days and there is also an eligibility tracker.

Ensure that you are checking these agencies at least once a year or if you have been refused credit to see exactly what information is held against your name. If you are coming back with an unsatisfactory credit report, then you can do certain things to change that. Check back in the next few weeks for our advice on how to do it. Alternatively, you may want to carry out a money overhaul – click here to read all about it.