Your credit file is the record lenders look at when you apply for a mortgage,
loan, credit card, mobile contract or even some rental tenancies. It shapes
whether you are accepted and what interest rate you are offered, so it is
worth understanding what is on it, how to check it, and how to put mistakes
right. This guide explains how credit scores work, your legal rights over the
information held about you, and the practical steps that build a healthier
file over time.

Your score and the three credit reference agencies

There are three main credit reference agencies (CRAs) in the UK –
Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Each holds its own file on you, built from
information supplied by banks, lenders, utility firms, local authorities and
the courts. Because they do not all hold identical information, the score each
gives you can differ, and there is no single ‘official’ number.
Lenders also apply their own criteria, so a score is a useful guide to your
standing rather than a guarantee of acceptance. It is sensible to check all
three, since a lender might use any one of them.

Checking your credit report

You have the right to see the information a credit reference agency holds
about you. Many people use free online services to view their report and
score, and each of the three agencies also lets you access your file. Check
your report before any major application, and look closely at the accounts
listed, your repayment history, your current balances, and the personal
details and addresses linked to you.

What is on your credit file

A credit file is mostly a factual history rather than an opinion. Typically it
includes:

  • Credit accounts – loans, credit cards, overdrafts,
    mortgages and some utility and phone accounts, with your payment record on
    each.
  • Public records – county court judgments (CCJs),
    bankruptcies and other insolvency information.
  • Electoral roll and addresses – whether you are
    registered to vote at your address, plus linked previous addresses.
  • Financial links – people you share credit with, such
    as a joint mortgage or account holder.
  • Searches – a record of who has checked your file and
    when.

Finding and correcting mistakes

Errors on a credit file – a payment marked late that you made on time,
an account that is not yours, or an old debt that should have dropped off
– can cost you an application. Under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act
2018 you have the right to have inaccurate personal data corrected. Start by
raising the error with the lender that reported it and with the credit
reference agency showing it; they should investigate and amend genuine
mistakes. If the information is disputed but cannot easily be resolved, you
can ask for a Notice of Correction – a short statement
(up to 200 words) added to your file explaining your side, which anyone
searching your file will see. If you and the agency cannot agree, the
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) can look at how your data has
been handled, and complaints about a lender’s decision can go to the
Financial Ombudsman Service.

Building and improving your score

There is no quick trick, but steady habits make a real difference over time.

  • Register to vote – being on the electoral roll at
    your current address helps confirm your identity and is one of the simplest
    gains.
  • Pay on time, every time – a consistent record of
    on-time payments is one of the strongest positive signals.
  • Keep credit use low – using a smaller share of your
    available credit limit (your credit utilisation) generally looks better than
    running close to the limit.
  • Avoid a flurry of applications – several credit
    searches in a short period can count against you.
  • Correct or close what is wrong or unused – fix errors
    and consider closing old accounts you no longer need.

Protecting yourself from fraud

If your identity has been stolen or you are at heightened risk – for
example after a lost wallet or a data breach – you can apply for Cifas
Protective Registration. This flags your details so that Cifas members carry
out extra checks whenever an application is made in your name. It does not
affect your credit score, though it may make your own genuine applications
take a little longer. There is a fee for the service, which lasts two years,
so check the current cost and terms with Cifas before applying.

Understanding your file puts you in control of your borrowing. For related
money guidance see our finance section, and if you are
worried about affording bills, our guide to
help for households sets out the support
available.