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Credits Reports Q&A 3

Why does my report include electoral roll details?

Electoral roll information helps companies to confirm your name and address quickly. It means they can check that people live at the address given on their application forms and helps prevent fraud and money laundering.

What can I do if I'm not on the electoral roll on my credit report?

Companies will take electoral roll information at previous addresses into consideration when making a decision. Any monthly updates your council makes to the register will be updated on our records. If you only recently registered on the electoral roll then we may still be updating our records.

How do I register on the electoral roll?

To add your name to the electoral roll at your current address contact your local authority and ask for a registration form. To register you need to be:

Click here for more information about registering to vote.

Can I be added to the electoral roll if I recently moved?

Yes. If you recently moved ask your local authority to add your name to the electoral roll at your new address. They will then tell us so we can update your report. Click here for more information about registering to vote.

How quickly can my name be added to the electoral roll?

The electoral roll is updated on a monthly basis unless the yearly annual canvass is underway, when all households have to register. We receive monthly changes from Local Authorities and these should be amended within 28 days. Click here for more information about registering to vote.

Why aren't the other people at my address shown on the electoral roll?

Your credit report only shows information about you. If other people are recorded on the electoral roll at your address, we will hold this information and lenders will be able to see this if it is relevant to a credit application they receive.

What should I do if I don't agree with the electoral roll information on my report?

If you have registered recently, we are probably in the process of updating our records. If you think the electoral roll has been published incorrectly contact your local authority directly. If you've already done so and have documentation from the local authority confirming an amendment to the electoral roll, forward this to all credit reference agencies. Once we receive it, we will update your report. Click here for contact information for other credit reference agencies.

The electoral roll information we hold does not show the exact dates of residency but the dates your name was registered by the Local Authority.

Was I turned down for credit because my name isn't on the electoral roll?

It is possible, although lenders don't tell us why they refuse applications. Lenders use the electoral roll to help check your name and address when you apply for credit. Companies also take account of electoral roll information at your previous addresses when you apply for credit.

Only the lender you applied to knows why your application was refused. They will be able to tell you the main reason.

Can anyone search my report?

No, searches can only be made with your consent. This is usually given at the time you apply to a lender.

Why do lenders look at searches?

We include searches on your credit report so you know who has looked at your information. Lenders look at credit searches to help them spot unusual activity. For example, a large number of credit applications may indicate financial difficulties. Searches also help lenders to prevent fraud.

How long are searches kept on my credit report?

We keep a record of all searches for 12 months. This allows lenders to take account of previous credit searches when you apply for credit. Whether or not an application was successful is not recorded and all lenders know this. Keeping searches also means that we can tell companies who have searched a report in the past six months if we make any changes to it.

What is a financial associate search?

A financial associate search shows you when somebody you share a financial connection with has applied for credit. Because you share a connection, your information has been seen by the lender they applied to and may have been taken into account. The names of anyone you share a financial connection with will appear under the Association section of your credit report.

What is an unrecorded enquiry?

An unrecorded enquiry is a search that was not made for lending purposes. It is not seen by lenders but is included on your credit report so you are aware the search was made. 632

Does shopping around for the best credit deal leave a lot of searches on my credit report?

Shopping around for the best credit deal should not generate an abnormal number of 'credit searches' on your credit report. This is because a credit search should only be conducted in response to an actual application for credit. When shopping around, people usually obtain basic details of offers from a range of lenders, then make an application to those considered to be the best deal.

Asking for a quotation should not affect your chances of getting credit in the future because, for most types of credit, lenders do not have to search your credit report to give you a quotation. But if the cost of the credit deal does depends on your credit score, the lender may need to search your credit report. In such cases, the lender should make a 'quotation search' and not a credit search. Lenders searching your report in the future will know that quotation searches do not reflect actual credit applications.

The lender should always tell you if they are going to search your credit report and what sort of search they will make. Making several applications for credit over a short period of time can influence a lender's decision. As a result, if you have been refused credit, it is always best to find out why before you apply to other lenders.

What do I do if there's a search on my report that I know nothing about?

Contact the lender who made the search and ask for further details. If the lender agrees to remove a search they will tell us and we will change your report. It may be that the search is in the name of a finance company used by a smaller company which you may know.

Can I find out who has searched my credit report?

Yes. We keep a record of every search. This allows you to see who has asked for information about you when you get a copy of your credit report.

If a company searched your report in the last 12 months there should be a record of it on your credit report.

Can I use Experian to do a credit check on another individual?

No, you can only order your own credit report.

Information reproduced with thanks to Experian
www.experian.co.uk