Your credit record
If you think you have been refused a loan, credit card or credit agreement because of your credit record with an agency, you can check the information they hold about you.
If a lender has turned you down for credit you can ask for the name and address of any credit reference agency that provided information about you. You should write to the lender within 28 days of your last contact about the credit deal. If the lender used a credit agency, they must tell you the agency's name and address within seven working days of getting your letter.
There are three main credit agencies in the UK. They are:
Callcredit plc
PO Box 491
Leeds LS3 1WZ
Telephone: 0870 060 1414
Experian Limited
Consumer Help Service
PO Box 8000
Nottingham NG1 5GX
Telephone: 0870 241 6212
Equifax plc
PO Box 1140
Bradford
BD1 5US
Telephone: 0870 514 3700
You can write to them at any time and ask to see the information they have on you. You can also order your file online and over the telephone from Equifax and Experian, so long as you have either a credit card or debit card in your own name.
If you write you will need to:
- Send a fee (usually a minimum of £2 but dependent on the agency)
- Give your full name, date of birth, address and post code
- Include any other address you've lived at during the last six years
- Give your business name and address if you are a sole trader or partnership, because the agency could hold information about you under this name.
Keep copies of any letters you send.
The agency must reply within seven working days to:
- Ask for more information from you to help it find your file, or
- Tell you it does not have a file on you, or
- Send you the file.
You can ask the agency to change the information on your file if it is incorrect, or it includes details about people who have no financial connection with you.
You can't get information removed just because it is embarrassing.
If you need further advice on dealing with credit agencies, contact the Information Commissioner Helpline on 01625 545 745.
