UK Credit Cards
UK Credit Reference Agencies Explained: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion
Three private companies hold the same file in three versions. Lenders see one, and you can see all three free.
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- Agencies
- Experian, Equifax, TransUnion
- Status
- Private, not government
- Your access
- Free statutory report from each
- Dispute route
- Agency first, then ICO
Agencies do not decide anything
They store what lenders report and score it. A refusal is the lender decision, made against one agency data - which is why an error at that agency matters more than a good score elsewhere.
Check all three before applying
You do not know which agency a lender uses. Checking only one is checking a third of the picture.
Disputes are free and must be answered
Agencies must respond within 28 days. Attach the evidence - a closure letter, a settlement statement.
The free statutory report
Available from each agency, distinct from paid subscriptions. It contains everything a lender sees.
VerdictPull all three free reports, dispute anything wrong, and repeat every six months. It costs nothing and is the whole game.
FAQ
Are agencies part of the government?▾
No, they are private companies.
Can I see my report free?▾
Yes, the statutory report from each agency.
Do searches show to other lenders?▾
Yes, for about 12 months.
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