Free Credit Score services

[Ian H]

What’s the deal with these?

Myself, girlfriend and daughter just got the Experian one and mine was the lowest by 200 points. Bit surprising as I have a credit card, loan and car finance which i’ve never missed a payment on.

Should I be looking to improve my score or are they a gimmick?

How would I improve it?

 

[JohnD]

might be related to age, time in current job, time at current address.

Are you on the voters' register? (the private one is OK)

 

[Ian H]

Yes I’m on the voters register. We all moved in in April this year but bought the house in February 2016.

The only financial occurrences I have had have been when I cancelled a direct debit after Rochdale Council charged me 150% council tax when they shouldn’t have, they sent a summons but eventually admitted they were wrong.

The other was my mobile phone direct debit was cancelled (I have no idea why) so I had to pay by card and reinstate the DD.

Would they knock my score down?

 

[sodthisforfun]

Not totally sure, but I think having too much credit also lowers the score.

And yes, you could've been knocked down on the council shenanigans, but I think you can inform the credit rating company, or the council do, something like that, and put it right.

 

[EddieM]

sure, if you get a recommended card from them (offer) apply, little risky I guess, bit if accepted your score will soar to 999. Complete scam, but hey play the game!

 

[Keithmac]

They take all sorts into account including your total borrowing and total possible borrowing over all your cards.

I got stuck at 997 for ages, never made the magic 999. Took a loan out for sorting the house and paying for our holiday and thats took it down a peg.

Money Saving Supermarket have a free Credit Club, you can download your credit file from there and have a read (quite important to make sure it's all correct!).

 

[EddieM]

Oh don't put an expensive purchase on your CC even if you're taking advantage of the 0% on purchases.. it will bu88er your score!

 

[Ian H]

sure, if you get a recommended card from them (offer) apply, little risky I guess, bit if accepted your score will soar to 999. Complete scam, but hey play the game!

So if I applied for the below card, put £1500 on it then paid it off i’d go upto 999?

 

[Ian H]

Oh don't put an expensive purchase on your CC even if you're taking advantage of the 0% on purchases.. it will bu88er your score!

I’ve done that on a Sainsbury’s card at 0% over 3years.

 

[EddieM]

So if I applied for the below card, put £1500 on it then paid it off i’d go upto 999?

View attachment 148142

Well mine did (risky though if you feel you won't be accepted)

 

[EddieM]

I’ve done that on a Sainsbury’s card at 0% over 3years.

Ah, seems they don't like that.

 

[Ian H]

They take all sorts into account including your total borrowing and total possible borrowing over all your cards.

I got stuck at 997 for ages, never made the magic 999. Took a loan out for sorting the house and paying for our holiday and thats took it down a peg.

Money Saving Supermarket have a free Credit Club, you can download your credit file from there and have a read (quite important to make sure it's all correct!).

So cancel any cards I don’t use? I have 2 that I don’t use.

 

[EddieM]

I’ve done that on a Sainsbury’s card at 0% over 3years.

Which at face value seems entirely reasonable.

 

[securespark]

I cancelled a direct debit after Rochdale Council charged me 150% council tax when they shouldn’t have, they sent a summons but eventually admitted they were wrong.

https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/council-tax-get-ready-for-a-rant.460227/

 

[EFLImpudence]

I know it doesn't (or might not) apply to Ian but never having had any credit will result in a low score, because you won't have proved you are reliable and good at repaying.