Credit reference agencies

[jonny6619]

Hi all, this is my 1st post and I am new to this type of forum. I need some advice with acquiring my credit file from Credit Agencies. I have some questions before I request to see these files

 

1. I have never applied to access any credit files.

2. How do I go about doing this?

3. Will there be a charge to me to access these credit files?

4. What do I do with this information once I receive it?

5. I do have a bit of debt, one is 19 years old and the last payment I made was in 2001. The other is 13 years old and I have never paid or responded to any communications i.e. letters, telephone.

 

I should also point out that I suffer from severe depression for last the 25 years, I have had a very difficult and troubled existence psychologically and emotionally. So be gentle with me please.

 

No doubt, once I have hold of these files I will be in touch, looking for further assistants and guidance.

Any assistants will be greatly appreciated

Thank you

Jonny

[maroondevo52]

Hello and Welcome Jonny,

 

I have moved this thread to the appropriate forum, hopefully you will get some advice shortly.

 

Regards,

 

Scott.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Hi Welcome to CAG,

 

Maroondevo has asked me to take a look at this for you, so will read and get back to you.

[Ocelot0411]

Hi there

 

There are several ways you can get the info you are looking for. You can make a request to each of the major CRA's (Experian, Call Credit & Equifax) and pay a statutory fee of £2 for a credit report from each of them. Do be aware that the information that each of them hold is likely to differ. The other route is you can sign up online for a free trial with each of them and get your report that way. Do be awre though that when doing this you will be asked to register a debit / credit card with each and if you don't cancel the trial before the end of the specified period they will charge you a fee, so out a note in your diary if you do it this way.

 

Debts as old as the ones you refer to shouldn't be on your credit files anymore, but ultimately you never know these things until you have seen it in black and white.

 

There are various ways in which to get information amended / removed on your CRA's depending on what the situation is (i.e. its over six years old, its incorrect, etc) but obviously you need to see what's there first before you worry about that.

 

Hope that helps.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Ok Jonny,

These debts lets take a look at them before tackling credit files.

 

A debt 19 years old with the last payment date stated will NOT/should not be on any credit file.

 

This is undoubtedly statute barred and is unenforceable in court.

 

Can you give me some details please, name of creditor and/or the name of any debt collection agency involved?

 

Please do not be concerned NO ONE on here will be judgemental or critical of your situation you can e sure of that!!

 

Are there any other debts hanging over you?

 

OK, CRA files. There are 3 main agencies Experian ( Credit Expert as seen on TV) and Equifax have free 30 day trials there is also Call Credit which has a free (always) offshoot called Noddle but it is not always up to date, but I don't think this will matter in your case as there is not likely it seems to be anything to report.

 

You will need a current debit card registered to your current address (used for identity purposes only, no money is taken), Name/date of birth/current address any other addresses in the last 6 years to access on line, you may have to wait a few days for a pin number to get access.

 

Please come back if you need further help.

[jonny6619]

Hi Brigadier/Ocellot

 

Thank you for getting back to me.

 

The 19 year old debt is a mortgage debt with Halifax Building Society. Me and my former wife had separated, at the time the house was in the process of been sold. As I had already moved out of the matrimonial home my ex-wife handed in the keys to the building society ‘voluntary repossession’ I believe that is what it is called. So Halifax proceeded to sell the property to the prospective owners, which left the mortgage in arrears of around £4500.00 I remarried and bought another home, to do so I had to accept this debt and agreed a payment plan of £5 weekly to acquire a mortgage. My second marriage broke down in the year 2001, this is when I stopped the £5 weekly payments, and have never responded to any letters thereafter. The paper work I have relating to this are my bank statements.

 

Can I just add, since 2001 I have been homeless on 5 occasions and lived in various parts of the country, so I have no documentation. Over the past 2 years I have had stable accommodation, just recently I have been receiving letters from debt collection agencies. I am guilty of not even opening them and putting them in the trash. I eventually opened one and it refers to the above debt – Shoosmiths

Northampton

Acc No. XXXX XXXX

Balance £3113.30

 

The other debt what I can remember is in the region £2500.00 with Capital One credit card from 2001 – again I have no documentation at all.

 

Firstly to gain any sort of information regarding these issues I think it is prudent to access my credit files.

 

If I apply for the credit files, will the credit agencies inform Banks/Debt agencies etc, I have made enquiries and inform them where I live?

 

Thank you for pointing out that no one will be judgemental or critical, that is reassuring and considerate of you!!

 

Kind regards

Jonny

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

No one is alerted to you checking your own credit files, the only way any 'creditor' would know of you is if they are actually looking for you now.

Even the mortgage shortfall is stat barred after 12 years

I suggest the free Noddle credit report is ideal for you!

 

Jonny don't hesitate to keep asking for help!!

[jonny6619]

Thank you for your encouragement!

 

I will contact who you suggest, and get back to you if that’s ok?

 

Thanks

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Thank you for your encouragement!

 

I will contact who you suggest, and get back to you if that’s ok?

 

Yes please do, keep us up to date!!

[Ocelot0411]

Ahhh I didn't know Noddle was an offshoot of Call credit. You learn something new everyday!

 

And jonny6619 - good luck to you in getting yourself back on track and there are people on here who are really very good and very helpful, so do keep coming back.

 

All the best.

[jonny6619]

Thank you Ocelot, it is so re-assuring that there are people on here who want to help and care!

 

I will keep you all in touch and get back to you shortly.

 

Thanks again

Jonny

[jonny6619]

Hi Brigadier

 

I did what you suggested and registered with Noodle, and was pleasantly surprised, the information I found on my credit file is below. I did not realise there is CCJ against my name, which was issued 18/12/07 I have never received any documentatioin. Mind you I have been homeless 3 times within this date.

Also the credit score is between poor and fair, how can I improve this?

 

There is no sign of the Halifax/Capital One debts on the credit file at all. So with Shoosmiths requesting I contact them to enter into a payment plan and any other agencies chasing me for these old debts, how should I approach this if at all?

 

Thank you for your help!

Regards

Jonny

 

Open Accounts

This section shows you the information provided to us by credit providers and lenders on your current financial accounts.

 

Credit cards

You have no credit card accounts on your report.

 

Personal loans and mortgages

You have no personal loans or mortgages on your report.

 

Other accounts

LENDER BALANCE UPDATED STATUS

British Gas - Electric £ 0 10/08/2013 Up to date

British Gas – Gas £ 0 10/08/2013 Up to date

Nationwide Building Society £ 0 10/07/2013 Up to date

Hutchison 3G Uk £ 0 01/07/2013 Up to date

Hutchison 3G Uk £ 0 01/07/2013 Up to date

 

Closed accounts

LENDER UPDATED STATUS

O2 Uk Limited £ 0 01/02/2013 Settled

 

County Court Judgment

Judgment date 18/12/2007

Amount £ 1,658

[dx100uk]

all your debts are gone and buried

 

any fleecing company trying to spoof you out of money

needs totally ignoring.

 

I take it you must have recently got on voters or got a mobile phone account or sky or something

 

that's got the wolves thinking they can pull one over you.

 

just remember

 

DCA's are NOT BAILIFFS

and have no such legal like powers

[jonny6619]

Hi DX

 

Yes, I’ve had stable accommodation for the first time in a while, which would show me on the electoral register, and I acquired a 24 mth O2 contract in January 2011, which I never missed a payment.

 

So, you say they are all gone buried, this means I do not have to engage with any DCA requesting monies? What can I do to warn them off in the future? Also, how can I re-build my credit score?

Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

Regards

Jonny

[dx100uk]

I would suspect your credit score is perfect

 

if its not

one of the dca's has pulled a fast one.

 

if you've any type of card even a electron debit

noddle is free and almost instant.

 

dx

[jonny6619]

Hi DX

 

My credit score is between poor and fair on Noodle, and say I would find it difficult to gain credit - but could with a very high % APR

Maybe the CCJ is having an affect, but the 6 year statues on this coming up in Dec 2013.

 

So the Noodle electron debit card would help?

 

I do have a Nationwide Flex account debit card - is this similar to Noodles card?

 

Regards

Jonny

[renegadeimp]

Dont get a card from them. Theyre pointless.

[dx100uk]

no didn't mean get a card

I meant you'll need a card to get the CRA file...

 

right so's you have it

 

barring the CCJ

 

are there any debts showing?

 

the low score will prob be the lack of accountable voters years [only 2]

& the CCJ.

 

tell us what you see

 

dx

[jonny6619]

Hi DX

 

Sorry that was a misunderstanding on my part.

 

If you have a look at #12 you will see what I saw on the credit file

 

Regards

Jonny

[dx100uk]

aha

we cross posted at that point

didn't see it

 

let me go look

 

back in a mo..

 

dx

[maroondevo52]

Noodle's very basic, I'd go for the free 30day trial with Experian.

[dx100uk]

no that's great no debt showing

the CCJ is for a debt that's dropped off

 

obv still owed!

 

so that's the ONLY one you need to worry or do anything about

 

now do you know what the debt for the CCJ was?

and is anyone chasing it?

 

you'll know if they are 'serious' as they'll mention the CCJ

 

if none are making SPECIFIC ref to the CCJ

then should be ok to await its drop off.

[dx100uk]

well its always useful to get another CRA for sure

Experian or Equifax will do.

 

dx

[jonny6619]

Hi DX

 

I have just this minute signed upto the free 30day trial with Experian, and it is different than Noodles report.

 

My credit score is excellent 982, with 3 good factors. WOW!!

 

No sign of any debts, and the CCJ which appears on Noodle does not appear Experian

 

What does this say about my prospect of getting future credit? And do I need to check the credit files at Equifax and Callcredit?

 

Regards

Jonny

[dx100uk]

callcredit are noddle.

 

if you want to get EQ then it would be useful.

 

not all creditors use all/any cra's

 

looking good then

 

it the CCJ debt SPECFICALLY being chased?

 

dx