On this page
Key takeaways
- You can check your credit report for free, and checking does not harm your score
- Check all three UK agencies, because their data can differ
- Look for errors, signs of fraud and accounts you do not recognise
- Tell the lender and the agency if you find a mistake
- Beware of paid services that you do not need, and of free trials that convert to subscriptions
Checking your credit report is one of the most useful things you can do before applying for credit, and it is free. Reports contain mistakes more often than you might expect, and they can show warning signs of identity fraud. This guide explains how to get your reports, what to look for and what to do if something is wrong.
Why check your credit report
- Before applying for a mortgage, loan or card, so you know what lenders will see
- To spot errors such as accounts that are not yours, wrong addresses or payments recorded as late when they were on time
- To catch fraud early, such as accounts opened in your name without your knowledge
- To see who has searched your file
- To confirm old problems have dropped off, such as a default after six years
Checking your own report is a soft search. It is not visible to lenders and does not harm your credit score.
Where to get your report
There are three main credit reference agencies in the UK: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Lenders may report to some or all of them, so your reports can differ. It is worth checking all three.
Statutory credit report
Under data protection law you have the right to a copy of the information each agency holds about you. A statutory report is available free of charge and normally arrives within a month. It is a simple record of the data they hold, and it is available from each agency's website or by post.
Free online services
Each agency offers a free online account that shows your report and a score. Some of these services are free to use but promote paid products. Others are free for the basic report with paid upgrades. You can use the free tier, and you do not need to pay or give card details to see your report. Before you sign up for a trial, check whether it will convert to a paid subscription and how to cancel.
Other services
Several free comparison and credit-monitoring websites show reports from one of the agencies. These are usually funded by commission from lenders when you apply for products through them. They can be useful, but they are not a substitute for checking each agency, and you are never obliged to apply for anything.
What you will need
- Your full name, date of birth and current address
- Addresses for the last three to six years
- A way to confirm your identity, such as a bank card or answers to security questions
Have your last few addresses to hand, as accounts you have forgotten can sit under older addresses.
How to read your report
Check each section carefully.
- Personal details. Are your name, date of birth and addresses right? Remove addresses you never lived at.
- Accounts. Do you recognise every account? Check balances, limits, dates opened, and payment status for each month. Accounts marked as late, defaulted or in arrears should be accurate.
- Public information. Are there CCJs, bankruptcies or IVAs that are yours, and have they been marked as satisfied where appropriate?
- Searches. Did you apply for each credit search shown? Soft searches may appear separately.
- Financial associations. Are you linked to anyone you no longer share a financial product with?
- Notices of correction. If one has been added, check it is still accurate.
Signs of fraud
Look out for:
- Accounts, phone contracts or loans you did not open
- Searches by companies you have not dealt with
- Addresses you have never lived at
- Missed payment markers on accounts you do not recognise
If you see signs of fraud, contact the lender straight away, report it to Action Fraud (or Police Scotland in Scotland), and consider signing up for Cifas Protective Registration, which places a warning on your file. Credit reference agencies can also add a notice to your file to help you.
What to do if you find a mistake
Contact the lender that supplied the information and ask them to correct it, and tell the credit reference agency. If the mistake is damaging an application, say so. The detailed steps are in our guide to correcting errors on your credit report.
Rent, telecoms and other data
Some reports now include information such as rent payments and mobile phone contracts, especially if you have signed up for services that report them. Open Banking services can let lenders see your bank transaction data with your consent. Check your reports for these and remember that you are not obliged to share information beyond what is needed.
How often should you check?
Check all three reports at least once a year, and before any major application such as a mortgage. If you are working to repair your credit, check every few months to see progress. Setting an alert with a free monitoring service can help you notice changes quickly.
Reports for other people
You can only get your own report, but you may be able to help a family member who is struggling. Anyone who has lost the ability to manage their money can authorise someone to act for them. If you are dealing with the affairs of someone who has died, the agencies have a process for adding a notice to the file to prevent fraud. Contact each agency to find out what evidence they need.
What a report cannot tell you
A report shows what has been recorded, but it will not tell you how each lender will judge you. A lender may also consider your income, your outgoings and the amount you want to borrow, which are not on the file. Think of the report as the starting point: if it is accurate and shows a good record, you are well placed to apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is it really free to check my credit report?
Will checking my own report affect my credit score?
How long does a statutory report take?
Who can see my credit report?
Sources and further reading
- How to check your credit report — MoneyHelper
- Credit reference agencies — Information Commissioner's Office
- Report fraud — Action Fraud
- Protective Registration — Cifas
This page provides general information only. It is not personalised financial, legal or tax advice, and rules and figures can change. Your situation is unique — please check official sources such as GOV.UK and MoneyHelper, and speak to a qualified, FCA-authorised adviser before making important decisions about your money.
Written by
MoneyBrink Editorial Team — Editorial team
The MoneyBrink Editorial Team researches, writes and reviews every guide on this site. We work from official UK sources such as GOV.UK, the Financial Conduct Authority, MoneyHelper and the Money and Pensions Service, explain things in plain English, and update articles when the rules change. We do not sell financial products and we do not give personal advice.
Read how we research and check our guides in our editorial policy.
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