Free credit checks: The facts

There are myths surrounding checking your credit report. A lot of people around the United Kingdom are scared about checking their report because they fear it means there will be a black mark placed on it. However, you can check your report and your credit score without affecting it.

Get a free credit check

You can check your credit report for free and this is something that you should consider doing. However, you should only do this from a credited site, such as Experian or Equifax. You can sign up to these for a 30-day free trial. Check your report every year The best thing that you can do is check your report every year. This will help you make sure that no late payments have been added that should not be there and will help you stay on top of your debts. You will also be able to watch as they clear off each year. Add a note to your report You can add notes to your report. This is a great option if the debt piled up while you were unemployed but you are now in work again. Your lenders will need to check these notes by law and they can help you gain credit that you need. However, you should avoid putting too many notes on there because it can deter lenders from bothering to check them.

Checking your report does nothing to your rating

You will not give yourself a black mark when you check your credit report, but you will leave a footprint. This footprint will be added under the voluntary section and lenders will clearly see that you have done this. It is the involuntary checks that put the black marks on the report. So, you should avoid applying for too many loans or credit cards. You can dispute anything on your report If you believe that there is something on your report which is not right, you can dispute it. This is the best way to clear a bill payment dispute or to remove something that was from your identity being stolen. However, you should only dispute something that you believe to be wrongfully added and not something which is due to your own fault.