Credit References

How do lenders decide who to lend to?
How do I obtain a copy of my credit reference file?
What can I do if I think my credit reference contains inaccurate information?

How do lenders decide who to lend to?

No one has the right to credit. Before giving credit lenders such as banks loan companies and shops check whether to them you are an acceptable risk. To help them decide this they obtain information from credit reference agencies.

There is no such thing as a "blacklist" and agencies do not give an opinion about whether or not you should be given credit. The lender decides this once they have reviewed the information provided about you and by you on any application. Many lenders, but not all, operate a credit scoring system which allocates points to various pieces of information such as your age, occupation, if you are a home owner, as well as your credit record. Once these points are added together it gives a Credit Score to which helps the lender decide if you are an acceptable risk. Sometimes, if you have been "shopping around" for credit then there will be a number of searches recorded on your credit reference file. In some cases this may be sufficient reason for lenders to refuse to grant you any further credit even though you may have no intention of taking up all the offers. The best way to avoid this is to compare companies by rates and quotations without actually going through a full application with each one.

Lenders do not have to tell you exactly why they turned you down but should give an indication of the reason such as - your credit record. If you think this decision is wrong or unjustified you should ask the lender about how to get the decision reviewed. This could be by providing additional information such as illustrating that the debts shown as unpaid have now been paid.

You are able to insert a statement of up to 200 words onto your credit file explaining the situation and about your current and/or previous circumstances. This entry will be included with your file in the future and will be seen by lenders searching your file in relation to applications for credit.

How do I obtain a copy of my credit reference file?

It is obviously of the utmost importance that the information held about you is correct and you have the right to request a copy of your file under section 7 of the data Protection Act 1998 to check this.

The easiest way to order your file is online (Equifax and Experian) or by telephone (Experian), as long as you have either a credit card or debit card in your own name. Alternatively you can write enclosing a cheque for £2 (made payable to Callcredit, Equifax or Experian), giving your full name, date of birth, current address and any addresses you have had in the last six years (this helps the agency to track all the information it has on you). If you run a business, give its name and address as well, because separate information could be held on you under your business. If you've changed your name in the last six years, please provide those details too.

There are three credit reference agencies, each of which may hold different information about you. You may find it useful to obtain a copy of your file from each agency.

You should receive a copy of your file within seven working days.

What can I do if I think my credit reference contains inaccurate information?

Details of how to correct any mistakes will be sent with a copy of your entry. If you have any difficulty in either accessing your file or making amendments, further assistance is available from your local Trading Standards Department.

The Office of the Data Protection Commisioner has responsibility for credit reference agencies and produces a leaflet No Credit? on how to consult your credit record and correct any mistakes. You can order copies of it by phoning 0870 44 21 211.