1.
Each Provider has its own credit-scoring rules. Providers refer
to credit referencing agencies, Usually Experian and Equifax,which
hold details of your financial history. Your credit score depends
on what the provider considers to be acceptable, It is the provider
who decides the reference agency merely gives information it does
not tell the provider what to do.
2. Your past credit history will also
form part of your credit record. This often accounts for around
35 per cent of your score. Your score will be much better if payments
for existing products are up to date and have no missed payments
3. It's essential to be recorded on the
electoral roll. Your application may well be rejected if it is not.
The Electoral roll is updated towards the end of the year and is
available April the next year, so it can take time to get on it.
4. How long you have worked for your
employer affects the score too, the longer the better basically.
5. If you have lived at your current
address for 3 years then the score is better.
6. How long you have banked with your
bank is a very important point, the longer the better for you.
7. Multiple applications for credit may
score low. Every time you apply for a credit product the provider
will do a search via an agency. Having many credit searches recorded
may put providers off and lower your credit score.
8. Providers use their own credit-scoring
criteria, you may be turned down by one provider but accepted by
another, even from the same information.
9. If you have any CCJ's (county court
judgment's) in the past year then you will score lower (but not
everyone will reject you). If the CCJ's are over 6 years old then
they will most likely be ignored
10. If you're application for a product
is declined; you really should try and find out why, the more Providers
you apply to the more searches you will have recorded on your credit
file So it may be in your interests to send off for your file and
have a good look and then check out providers criteria before you
apply to them.
11. If you are declined by a provider
due to their credit-scoring criteria, but you know that you do not
have a bad credit history then you could appeal, it may be that
you are not recorded on the electoral register etc. and then the
Provider may be willing to reexamine your application.
12. You can get a copy of your credit
files from the leading agencies. Request your file by writing to
Equifax plc, Credit File Advice Centre, PO Box 3001, Glasgow G81
2DT, or Experian Ltd, PO Box 8000, Nottingham NG1 5GX. Send a Cheque
or postal order for £2 with each letter. Both agencies record
slightly different information about you and you'll have to send
requests to both Experian and Equifax to be fully informed.
13. If you spot a genuine mistake on
your file then contact the agency and they will get in touch with
the provider regarding the incorrect details but it must be a relevant
mistake, you can't just get things removed or change because you
don't like them. If there is something on your file that is unresolved
or the provider is not communicating then you can ask for a notice
of correction to be applied to your account regarding this,
14. All is not lost if you can not get
main stream credit products, at the moment 20% of UK people can
not either, there is now a massive market for sub prime or non status
customers and there are many providers who will consider you.
15. The interest rates are not as good
as the main stream providers but then again at least you have a
choice that wasn't there a few years ago, As soon as your credit
file is back in order then you can get back to using main stream
credit providers.
Experian.co.uk
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Equifax.co.uk |