2.5 Credit reference agencies

Credit reference agencies collect and store information about you and your individual credit history.

They do this by sourcing information from a number of different sources including banks, building societies and other lenders that have approved you for a credit facility.

There are three credit reference agencies in the UK; Experian, Equifax and Callcredit each of which are required by law to offer you your statutory credit file. This is sent to you in the post for a small fee.

However, all three agencies offer you the opportunity to order your credit report, and credit score, online.

Each of the individual credit agencies may hold different information so you may need to approach more than one to get the information you require. Each agency contacted will ask for the small fee.

You usually have to pay extra if you want to be provided with your credit score. The score you will be given will only be a guideline figure because most lenders have their own formula for calculating your credit score.

Click on the link for a free credit report from Experian.

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