In short
There are three credit reference agencies in the UK: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Each must give you a copy of your statutory credit report free of charge, and there are free services that let you see each file whenever you like. Checking your own file never affects your credit score.
Why check all three
Lenders do not all use the same agency, and the three files are not identical. A default or an old address might show on one and not another. Checking all three before you apply means there are no surprises.
Free ways to see each file
| Agency | Free statutory report | Free ongoing access (at the time of writing) |
|---|---|---|
| Experian | Yes, on request | A free Experian account, or MoneySavingExpert Credit Club, which uses Experian data |
| Equifax | Yes, on request | ClearScore, which uses Equifax data |
| TransUnion | Yes, on request | Credit Karma, which uses TransUnion data |
You never need to pay to see your own credit file. Watch out for free trials that turn into a monthly subscription unless you cancel.
Scores are not what lenders see
Each agency and app shows its own score on its own scale, which is why the numbers differ. Lenders do not see those scores. They see the information in your report and apply their own scoring, so the detail on the file matters more than the number at the top.
What to look for
- Your personal details. Name, date of birth and current address spelled correctly.
- Electoral roll. Whether you show as registered at your current address. If not, register to vote on GOV.UK.
- Old addresses. Addresses you have never lived at can point to a mix-up or fraud.
- Accounts you do not recognise. Report them straight away.
- Defaults and CCJs. Check the dates, the amounts, and that paid ones show as satisfied or settled.
- Entries older than six years. These should have gone. See how long entries stay on your file.
- Financial associates. Anyone you are linked to through a joint account. If you no longer have any joint finances with them, you can ask for the link to be removed.
- Searches. Hard searches from lenders you did not apply to.
How to fix a mistake
- Raise a dispute with the agency showing the error, through its website. It will contact the lender that reported the information and mark the entry as disputed while it investigates.
- If the lender agrees it is wrong, the entry is corrected on that file. Check the other two agencies as well, as the same error often appears on each.
- If an entry is accurate but there is a reason behind it, such as illness or redundancy, you can add a notice of correction of up to 200 words explaining what happened.
Checking your file is not the same as applying
Looking at your own file is a soft search: only you can see it, and it does not affect your score. When we check your eligibility, with your agreement after we have spoken to you, that is a soft search too. A hard search only happens if you choose to make a full application, and we tell you before that point. More on how the soft search works.
If your file shows debts you are struggling with
Free, impartial debt advice is available from MoneyHelper, StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice. Sorting out existing debts first can be a better step than taking on new credit.
Finance is subject to status, affordability and lender approval. Over 18s, UK residents only. This guide is general information, not personal financial advice. We are a credit broker, not a lender.