Credit Report FAQs

Credit Accounts:

  1. There is incorrect information on my report regarding one of my credit accounts. How do I change this information?
  2. How long will it take for information to be updated on my credit report?
  3. What should I do if credit accounts are missing from my credit report?
  4. How long will information about a credit account stay on my report?
  5. What do the codes listed with my credit accounts on my report mean?
  6. Should I be concerned if there are no status codes on my account?
  7. How is my credit account information used?
  8. What if I cannot keep up with the payments for a credit account?
  9. How do lenders determine the credit limit on my credit account?

Defaults:

  1. What is a default?
  2. I have a default listed on my credit report. Is there any way to have that removed?
  3. How long will a default stay on my credit history?

Blacklists:

  1. What is a credit blacklist?

Bankruptcies:

  1. What is a bankruptcy?
  2. What happens after a bankruptcy is filed?
  3. How does a bankruptcy affect my credit report?
  4. What can I do if a debt that was discharged in bankruptcy is still listed on my report as due?
  5. My bankruptcy has been discharged, but my credit report does not reflect this. What should I do?

Foreclosures:

  1. What is a foreclosure?
  2. How does a foreclosure affect my credit report?

Credit Reference Agencies:

  1. What is a credit reference agency?
  2. How do credit reference agencies gather information?

Obtaining a Credit Report:

  1. How do I obtain a copy of my credit report?
  2. How long will it take for me to receive my credit report?
  3. Does requesting a copy of my credit report cost me anything?

Identity Fraud:

  1. What is identity fraud?
  2. How does identity fraud affect my credit report?
  3. How do I determine if I’m the victim of identity fraud?

Changing Information on Your Credit Report:

  1. I’ve moved recently. How can I make sure this is reflected in my credit report?
  2. My name has changed due to marriage/divorce/a legal name change. How can I change my name on my credit report?
  3. Is there any way to explain negatives on my report?
  4. Someone else’s name is included on my credit report. How can I have their name removed?

Credit Scores:

  1. What is a credit score?
  2. Do all lenders use the same method of calculating my credit score?
  3. What should I do if I have a low credit score?
  4. Do all lenders look for a certain credit score?
  5. I just obtained my credit score. Will the score change over time?

County Court Judgments:

  1. What is a county court judgment (CCJ)?
  2. What do I do if I have a CCJ?
  3. How do I pay my CCJ?
  4. I paid my CCJ before the month, but it’s still on my credit report. What do I do?
  5. It’s been six years since I received a CCJ, but it’s still showing up on my credit report. What do I do?

Credit Repair:

  1. What is credit repair?
  2. How do I start the credit repair process?
  3. Should I use a credit repair company?

Electoral Roll:

  1. Why is electoral roll information included in my credit report?
  2. I should be on electoral roll, but my credit report indicates that I’m not. What should I do?
  3. I just moved. How can I be added to the electoral roll?
  4. What do I do if the electoral roll information on my credit report is incorrect?
  5. Why is the address on my credit report different than the way I reported it for electoral roll?

Joint Credit Accounts:

  1. What is a joint credit account?
  2. What happens if the person I opened a joint account with doesn’t pay their bill?
  3. Should I ever open a joint account?

CIFAS:

  1. What is CIFAS?
  2. What can CIFAS do for me?
  3. I have a CIFAS warning, but I was not the victim of identity fraud! What should I do?

Your Rights Concerning Your Credit Report:

  1. Am I able to access someone else’s credit report?
  2. How will I know who is checking my credit report?
  3. How can I keep a credit reference agency from listing my credit information?
  4. Credit companies continue sending me unsolicited charge and loan applications. How can I make them stop?
  5. If I have a right to privacy, why are lenders allowed to look at my credit report?

Goneaways:

  1. What is a goneaway?
  2. What is the Gone Away Information Network (GAIN)?

Improving Your Credit:

  1. Can I pay to have negative items removed from my report?
  2. If I am denied credit, is the denial reflected on my credit report?
  3. Why was I denied credit?
  4. What can I do to improve my credit report?

Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs):

  1. What is an IVA?
  2. What do I do when I have reached the end of my IVA payments?
  3. After I finish my IVA, when will it be removed from my credit report?