Which Credit Report?
2011 Credit Report Guide

Compare Credit Reports From All Three UK Credit Reference Agencies And Learn How To Get Yours Free!

We have tried to ensure that the information contained in this guide is correct at the time of publication. It is possible that some of it may become inaccurate over time. Please visit our website at www.whichcreditreport.co.uk regularly to make sure that you have the most up-to-date edition.

Welcome to Which Credit Report’s 2011 Free Credit Report Guide. Which Credit Report is the only online credit report comparison website that compares credit reports from all three UK credit reference agencies.

This free guide will tell you everything you need to know about your credit report, including what information you'll find on it and how long the entries last. You'll also find out what your credit score is, how to improve your credit score, what identity fraud is, and how to protect yourself from identity theft.

With credit lenders becoming more and more cautious about whom they lend to and the terms they offer, and with personal identity theft and financial fraud on the increase, it's never been more important to check your credit report on a regular basis.

The three UK credit reference agencies, Experian, Equifax and CallCredit, all offer £2 statutory credit reports, as well as credit monitoring and credit scoring services. But why pay for your credit report and wait for it to arrive in the post when it’s possible to get it for free instantly online? Keep reading and we’ll reveal all!

What Is A Credit Report ?
A consumer credit report is a personal snapshot of your credit accounts, including your overdrafts, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages and mobile phone contracts. Your credit report records information

about your outstanding balances and payment history, and if you've failed to keep up with repayments it will also list any defaults, court judgments or bankruptcies registered against you.

What Is My Credit Report Used For ?
Every time you apply for credit, lenders check your credit report. This is known as a credit search or a credit check. The information included in your credit report is used by lenders alongside the information you provide on their application forms to create a credit score (sometimes referred to as a credit rating). Lenders use your credit score to decide whether or not to lend to you. In some cases it also affects the terms of your credit agreement and the rate of interest charged. Each lender has their own methodology for calculating your credit score and they update them regularly to reflect their lending policy.

What Inform ation Is Included In My Credit Report And How Is It Collected?
To compile your credit report credit reference agencies use two main sources, public records and information provided by lenders and financial institutions. Public records include electoral roll information from local authorities, court judgments, individual voluntary arrangements and bankruptcies. Lenders and other financial institutions provide details of credit searches, credit applications and credit agreements. Financial associations with other people are also shared, for example where you have a joint bank account or mortgage.

All this information is collected by credit reference agencies that compile it and make it available for lenders to search (with your permission, normally granted when you apply for credit). The three UK credit reference agencies are Experian, Equifax and CallCredit. To find out more about what information each credit reference agency includes in their credit report, check out our Credit Report Comparison.

Details of your ethnic origin, religion, sexual preferences, medical history, political beliefs, criminal record, residential status, council tax payments, employment records, salary, pension, insurance policies, savings accounts, investments, and Child Support Agency (CSA) information are not included in your credit report.

What Are My Rights ?
You have the right to view the information contained in your credit report to make sure it's accurate. If inaccurate information is found, you're entitled to apply to have it corrected within 28 days. You can write to any of the credit reference agencies and ask for a posted copy of your statutory credit report within 7 days of receipt of your letter. There is normally a charge of £2 for this. You can also order your free credit report online from Experian, Equifax or Call Credit. To find out which one is best check out our Credit Report Comparison on the next page, or click on the relevant buttons below.

Before you order your free credit report, we'd recommend using our comparison chart below to make sure you're ordering the right one for your needs. Which Credit Report is the only website to compare and rate credit reports from all three of the UK's credit reference agencies, Experian, Equifax and CallCredit. And the winner of the Best Credit Report 2011 is...

Which Credit Report? Best Consumer Credit Report 2011

So what factors did we take into account when deciding on the best credit report? Well we've compared Experian, Equifax and CallCredit by the services they offer, what's included in their credit reports, and the overall experience when using their websites and dealing with their customer services teams.

Credit File Monitoring Service
To help stop Identity Fraud.

Free With Credit File Monitoring

Free With Credit File Monitoring

Identity Fraud Legal Costs Insurance
Included free with
monitoring service.

E-Mail or Text Alerts
To advise you when
someone has done a credit search.

Online Dispute Service To help you correct any errors on your credit report.

Advice Centre
Offering credit and identity theft advice.

Personal Information
Such as your addresses and

date of birth.

Electoral Roll Information
Your registration with local

authorities.

Aliases
Other names you are known

by.

Financial Associations
People you are associated

with.

Public Record Information
Judgments filed in your

name.

Credit Agreements/Account
Information
How much you owe, your

credit limits and yo ur
payment history.

Addresses and Contact
Details of Lenders and Other
Organisations
To help you contact
organisations to ask them

about information on your
report or correct any
inaccuracies.

Repossession Information
Details of any properties that

have been repossessed.

Previous Searches
Companies/organisations
that have viewed your

credit information.

Notices of Correction
Information you've added to

your file.

Property Valuation
The Land Registry provides
historic house purchase

prices from April 2000.

CIFAS - The UK's Fraud
Prevention Service
Alerts registered at your

addresses.

GAIN - Gone Away
Information Network
Companies recording that

they are unable to find you.

Sign Up Process
How simple is it to register and access members area?