How to Get Your Credit Report

The majority of people will at some point need to obtain credit; this may be for the purchase of your first home or a brand new car. When you apply for credit however, a lender will not consider your application without first searching your credit report.

Your credit report is a document compiled by a Credit Reference Agency of your credit history and current credit standing. Your credit report may, and most likely will, include the following;

• Identifying Information - Your full name, including any aliases. Any addresses you have lived at and/or obtained credit from in the last 6 years.
• Credit Information - Details on any accounts you have at present, as well as any closed accounts. This will probably include your credit limit, the amount owed, any CCJs or Defaults that have been issued, and your repayment information (i.e. any late or missed payments).
• Public Record Information - If you are eligible to vote at your current address.
• Recent Inquiries - Any searches that have been carried out on your credit report in the last 12 months

You should obtain your credit report if you plan to submit an application for credit. This will help to prevent you from any unwelcome surprises should your application be declined. More importantly it can also give you the information you need to make a successful application. Monitoring your credit report can also help protect you against identity theft.

There are three main Credit Reference Agencies that lenders use, Experian, Equifax, and Call Credit. You can order copies of your credit reports directly from these Credit Reference Agencies by post and online. It is entirely up to you which Credit Reference Agency you obtain your credit report from, however, you should bear in mind that different Credit Reference Agencies do not necessarily hold the exact same information.

To obtain your credit report by post you can print off a copy of our credit file request application forms.

Experian - Request for Credit Report by Post

Equifax - Request for Credit Report by Post

Call Credit - Request for Credit Report by Post

Once completed, send your request to the address stated in the top left-hand corner of the letter with either a £2 cheque or postal order. By law, you are entitled to a copy of your statutory credit report by post for a fee of £2. You should then receive your credit report within seven working days of the Credit Reference Agency receiving your request.

Alternatively you can order your credit report online. If you decide to order your credit report online then you can choose to receive a paper copy of your credit report or you can view it on the Credit Reference Agencies website. Again you will be charged the statutory fee of £2.

http://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/statutory-report.html

http://www.equifax.co.uk/Products/credit/statutory-report.html

http://www.callcredit.co.uk/stat-report-online/

When you apply for a copy of your credit report it is possible that the Credit Reference Agency you have applied to will require additional information from you. They may ask for supporting documentation to help them in checking your name and address. These security measures are in place to protect your identity. A Credit Reference Agency will only release a copy of your credit report if they can ensure they are dealing with you direct.

If need be a Credit Reference Agency may ask you for two original documents, dated within the last three months, that connects you to your current address. They will not accept photocopies, faxes, or statements that have been printed off the internet. The documents that can be accepted are; bank, credit card or mortgage statements and/or a council tax bill.

Credit Reference Agencies will also accept copies (please do not send in originals) of your passport, birth certificate, or a full UK driving license. Unfortunately they will not accept provisional driving licenses.

Once the Credit Reference Agency has the requested documentation they should release your credit report without delay. Any original documents you supply the Credit Reference Agency with will be returned to you separately.