Frequently Asked Questions
Being turned down for credit
- Why have I been turned down for credit?
- How do lenders make their decisions?
- Have I been turned down because of a previous occupant at my address?
- Can I improve my chances of getting credit?
Your credit report
- How do I get my credit report?
- How many times can I look at it?
- What is a credit score?
- What personal information do you hold about me?
- Is there any such thing as a blacklist?
- What if there's incorrect information?
County Court Judgements and Insolvencies
- How do I get CCJs removed?
- How do I get a CCJ marked as Satisfied?
- How do I get an Insolvency removed?
- How do I get an Insolvency marked as Discharged or Completed?
Leaving a Notice of Correction on your credit report
Other people's details
- Why are other people's details on my credit report?
- How do I take other people's details off my credit report?
- How can I protect myself from identity theft?
- What happens if I'm a victim of identity theft
Being turned down for credit
1. Why have I been turned down for credit?
Being refused credit can be upsetting and confusing. However, you can ask the lender why they have made their decision. Lenders use different credit scoring systems and policy rules, so if one lender turns you down, it doesn't mean everyone will. However, it's worth knowing that every time you apply for credit, it's recorded on your credit report. Some lenders see a large number of applications as a reason to turn you down. Searches you request on your own file are not classed as credit searches and are not seen by lenders.
2. How do lenders make their decisions?
Lenders use a combination of the following to help them make their decision:
- Information supplied by you when you apply
- Data supplied by a credit reference agency like Callcredit. We help lenders check if you're on the electoral roll at your current address, if you've paid your credit commitments on time and if you have insolvencies or County Court Judgments
- Information about any existing accounts you already have with the lender
- Their own policies and rules
- We can show you the information we hold (this is what lenders access when running a search on you) but only the lender can give you a definite reason for declining you.
3. Have I been turned down because of a previous occupant at my address?
When someone leaves a property, their financial details stay attached to them, rather than the address. Someone else can affect your chances of getting credit, but only if you have a financial association like a joint bank account or a joint mortgage.
4. Can I improve my chances of getting credit?
Lenders are looking for evidence that you're able to repay existing credit on time. So it's important you pay your bills and credit agreements on time. With Callcredit, you can regularly check your credit file is accurate and up-to-date.
Always provide accurate, truthful and complete information on your application form. If you leave anything out or don't give the true picture, it could affect your ability to get credit in the future.
Your credit report
1. How do I get my credit report?
That's easy. You can get your credit report now by going to the Credit Report page.
2. How many times can I look at it?
You can look at your credit report as many times as you like, that's why we give you instant access online. You can check it regularly, just as you'd check your bank statement or your bills.
3. What is a credit score?
A credit score is a number that reflects the likelihood of someone making repayments. Credit scores help the lender assess each application fairly using the same criteria a high score means they are more likely to offer you credit. Each credit reference agency provides their own version of a credit score so the credit score used to assess your application will depend on which credit reference agency the lender is using.
4. What personal information do you hold about me?
You can see all the information we hold about you on your credit report. We have no access to any other personal information such as criminal records, political persuasion etc.
5. Is there any such thing as a blacklist?
Credit reference agencies don't hold blacklists relating to people or properties. We provide lenders with factual information about individuals at the addresses they have lived at.
6. What if there's incorrect information?
If you think a section of your credit file contains inaccurate information, you should contact the lender first. If they agree that the information is inaccurate, they can make the necessary amendment or ask us to update your file.
Balances are updated every 4-6 weeks. So if the balance shown doesn't reflect the actual balance, there's no need to contact the lender unless you believe the balance is more than 4-6 weeks out of date.
If you prefer, you can write to us about inaccuracies. We will pass this on to the relevant lender on your behalf and respond to you within 28 days. Please write to us within 6 months of accessing your credit report, quoting your credit file reference number and an explanation of why you believe the information is incorrect. Enclose any supporting evidence (such as letters or statements from the lender involved). Send your letter to Customer Care, Callcredit check, PO Box 734, LEEDS, LS1 9GX.
County Court Judgments and Insolvencies
1. How do I get CCJs removed?
These are removed automatically six years after the original judgment date. You should contact the County Court concerned if you think the judgment was made in error and you would like it 'set aside'. The courts will also allow a judgment to be removed if:
- It was paid within one month and a Certificate of Satisfaction or Cancellation has been issued
- An insurance company (related to the debt) is not paying a claim on time
2. How do I get a CCJ marked as Satisfied?
If the judgment is paid more than one month after the original judgment, it can be marked as Satisfied on your file ' you just need to send us the relevant Certificate of Satisfaction. The judgment will still remain on your file for six years from the judgment date but lenders will be able to see that the amount has been paid.
3. How do I get an Insolvency removed?
Insolvencies are automatically removed from your file six years from the original judgment. To remove a Bankruptcy or IVA from your file before then, we need the relevant Certificate of Annulment from the issuing court (Bankruptcy) or confirmation from the supervisor of your IVA.
4. How do I get an Insolvency marked as Discharged or Completed?
To mark a Bankruptcy as Discharged we'll need to see the relevant Certificate of Discharge. For an IVA to be marked as Completed, we'll need written confirmation from your supervisor.
Leaving a Notice of Correction on your credit report
1. How do I leave a Notice of Correction?
If your credit score has been affected by something that you feel was unavoidable, you have the chance to explain this with a Notice of Correction. It's your opportunity to put your point across to lenders when they're considering you for credit worthiness. A Notice of Correction can slow down any future credit applications you make, as lenders are obliged to read it before making their decision. However, lenders will only see your note if they use Callcredit as their credit reference agency.
After you've signed up for your credit report, write to us with the wording you would like to add to your file. You must include your full name and address and your login email address. Please remember that the Notice of Correction can't be more than 200 words long, defamatory, libelous, incorrect or frivolous. This note will remain on your Callcredit credit file until you ask us to remove it.
Other people's details
1. Why are other people's details on my credit report?
A record is kept of any person who is financially associated with you, such as someone you have shared a joint bank account or a joint mortgage with.
2. How do I take other people's details off my credit report?
If you want to disassociate yourself from an ex-partner or anyone else you have had a financial relationship with, you will need to make sure any joint accounts are closed or transferred to a single name. You can then complete a Disassociation Request form ' click here to download.
3. How can I protect myself from identity theft?
If you check your credit report regularly, you'll soon notice if something looks unusual. This could be a sign your identity has been stolen and is being used to apply for credit. You can add a Notice of Correction containing a password for your credit file and instructions to lenders to decline any application not quoting this password. (See section titled 'Leaving a note on your credit report').
For an administration fee of £14.10, CIFAS - the UK's fraud prevention service - can place a 'Protective Registration' warning on your credit file. This will tell lenders that you think your personal information is at risk of being used fraudulently. When they receive an application with your details, they'll make more checks to make sure the person applying is you and not a fraudster. It may mean that any applications you make are delayed while there's further verification of your I.D. But it's better to be safe than sorry!
4. What happens if I'm a victim of identity theft?
If you suspect you're a victim of identity theft, you should contact your lenders immediately. They can then stop further spending and start a fraud investigation. When they confirm the fraud, they'll ask us to remove the details relating to this from your file. That's so the activities of the fraudster will not affect the likelihood of you getting credit in the future.
