CreditCards Blog

Can someone please advise me on the best way to get my full credit history as I am willing to pay over and above the 2 if that is needed. I have read through the general credit report thread, so my questions arise from that.

I am presently a full-time student, with a modest 0% overdraft plus student loan for tuition fees only but sufficient savings to clear both if I chose to. I have a good income for a student and own my flat outright: I have lived here two years and owned the flat two years before that. Recently I have been ok with money - but twice been threatened with legal action, once for a parking ticket (I don't drive or have a car!) and once for 'lost' library books (had returned them, now written off).

Previously I lived three years at one address and was fine with money the last two years - so four years total should be ok on my credit report. BUT between 2001 and 2003 I was very ill, and was absolutely rubbish with money. I had a credit card cancelled for non-payment (only 600 and cleared soon after) and hit my overdraft limit several times.:o

I also moved around every six months; in 2002 I lived with two others - joint tenancy - who did not pay any rent (I did) and none of us paid any bills nor got our deposit back. The other two disappeared, leaving me the only one who was served with legal documents to go to court. I spoke to the letting agency who said they would be happy to say I paid my rent, so I wrote my defense but did not show up in court nor leave a forwarding address. Several years later I got up the courage to ring the court and was advised the case was withdrawn so no CCJ.:j
Then in 2003 I sublet a room from people who I know were behind on their bills, I moved out first so I have no idea if they ever sorted it out before they moved on. No bills were in my name (although I did contribute) nor was I on the tenancy agreement, so hope I am ok ...

Sorry this is a bit rambling, I'll get to the address question .... So I understand I need to give six years of addresses to get my credit report. My current address comes up on different computers in a variety of formats, i.e.
Flat X, Ugly Building, Y Noisy Street, City Centre
or
Y Ugly Building, X Noisy Street, City Centre
or
Flat X, Y Noisy Street, Ugly Building, City Centre
etc. etc.
but I understand from the forums that, although banks can access all variations, I can't?? Also I don't know my house number from one address, and have no paperwork from that time, will the credit report still let me access the information?

Lastly, do I need to declare my dodgy 2002 address, as technically this will be over six years ago by January when I order my credit report?? The court stuff took place in 2003, and I can't remember where my bank statements went for the first couple of months in 2003, as I was just crashing on mates' sofas. In other words I may still have been registered at the dodgy address within the last six years.

Please can someone advise the best course of action? I don't want to alert the credit agency to the dodgy address unless it's necessary. Thanks in advance.

Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs) have a statutory obligation to provide you with your credit file and charge no more than 2. If you apply using the links provided on page 1 of the *How to obtain credit reports* sticky, you'll be able to see at first hand the data UK lenders search, when you apply for new credit facilities.

When completing your application, I would give the CRAs the details they ask you for and no more. Once you have your credit reports, you'll be able to check exactly what's on there and what isn't ;)

My current address comes up on different computers in a variety of formats, i.e. Flat X, Ugly Building, Y Noisy Street, City Centre orY Ugly Building, X Noisy Street, City Centre or Flat X, Y Noisy Street, Ugly Building, City Centre etc. This is quite common, particularly where blocks of flats are concerned.

I would inspect the electoral roll. You can do this at your nearest public library.* Pay particular attention to the way your details are recorded on the register. First name(s) as well as surname. Also an extra line may be inserted/omitted, where a block of flats is involved. You'd be surprised how often this happens.

When you apply for credit facilities, bank accounts etc.or to the credit reference agencies, ensure your address matches the details as they appear on the electoral register and you'll avoid all the inconvenience of sending documents through the post as proof of residency, because your ID can be checked electronically using the electoral roll.

*If you opted out of the edited register (which is sold to anyone who wants to buy and which may be viewed in a public library), you can check the full version of the electoral roll at your local electoral registration office.

I understand from the forums that, although banks can access all variations, I can't?

Well, my experience has been just the opposite, actually. If you don't give your details in the same format as the electoral roll, the banks tend to start asking for certified copies of your driver's license, passport, utility bills etc. (Also, the CRAs are likely to tell you they can't find you on their database, even when you've lived at the same address for years.) This suggests the banks are in the same position as the rest of us. Just my opinion of course.

Also I don't know my house number from one address and have no paperwork from that time. Will the credit report still let me access the information?

Your credit reports will show which addresses you're linked to.

The agencies collate info from 3 main sources 1) you 2) public records 3) their clients, the lenders. Obviously, this info is only as accurate as its sources. If you've moved a few times, didn't always register to vote or apply for credit facilities from all your previous addresses, there could be gaps.

Thanks! So what you are saying is that any report will focus on me, and will show any and all addresses I have been linked to in the last six years?

I have definitely been registered to vote the last four years, but can't recall for the couple of years prior: probably not. I had a problem proving my identity a year ago when having a Criminal Records Bureau check done for my job in the NHS (clear of course!) - although the utility bills and bank statements are in my name, there are several slight variations in address ....

So what you are saying is that any report will focus on me and will show any and all addresses I have been linked to in the last six years?

That's right

I had a problem proving my identity a year ago when having a Criminal Records Bureau check done for my job in the NHS When it comes to proving your identity, variations in the format of your address are a common source of problems, particularly where blocks of flats are involved. As noted above, when you apply for credit cards, bank accounts or to the CRAs, ensure your address matches your details as they appear on the electoral register and you should be fine ;)

I have now got my Experian and Equifax free trials ongoing, which has been very useful. Experian did not have me registered to vote, but this has now been rectified. I have also had to dissociate myself from my ex-husband (separated 2001, divorced 2004) on Equifax! I am also in the process of trying to persuade the council tax department to list my address correctly. I have been MUCH more impressed with the Equifax system (security and professionalism) and will certainly use them again.