Are you guilty of the Credit Report Seven Deadly Sins?

By: James Jones, Credit Expert
30-Oct-2010

Five years ago, most people's attitude to their credit status was, "It must be OK - I'm always being offered cards and loans."  Today, things couldn't be more different. Banks facing the combined effects of the credit crash and recession have tightened their lending criteria so that only the cleanest credit report will qualify you to borrow what you need.

A clean credit report is a golden asset but very few of us realise that we could inadvertently be trashing our credit status - and our chances of getting the deals we want.  Below are some surprising ways in which you can damage your credit rating - and a guide to how not to fall into the traps.

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Deadly Sin no.1: Not knowing what affects your credit status

Lenders use a wide range of data when they decide whether to make you an offer, including details of your salary and how many people you support financially. They turn to your credit report to assess whether you are stable and a reliable borrower.

Your credit report lists your credit, such as cards, loans and your mortgage, along with your repayment record. You need to check it regularly to ensure that it's up to date and accurately reflects your circumstances. It's free to see your Experian credit report with a 30-day trial of CreditExpert.

Look for:
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* Minor clerical errors, such as an outstanding balance you know you paid.
* Inconsistencies in the way your address is listed - for example, Basement Flat, Flat B and Flat 4.
* Applications and accounts you don't recognise.

If you find anything you disagree with, take it up with the relevant lender and ask for it to be correct - be ready to provide proof.

Deadly Sin no. 2: Not being credit-wise when moving home

You may think that a move is something to celebrate - but your big move is fraught with dangers for your credit record.

Remember to:

* Make any big credit applications before you move - lenders prefer you to have lived at the address you give for at least three years and you could lose valuable points from your credit score if you leave things until after you've settled in your new home.
* Cancel gas, electricity, phone and cable contracts in writing, at the same time that you tell your bank, building society and other key organisations that you've moved. If you forget, the people who move in could run up bills in your name. A single missed payment stays on your credit report for at least three years, while a court judgement will blight your credit rating for six years.  Use a service such as www.iammoving.com to make this process easier.
* Redirect your post via the Royal Mail for at least a year. If your mail continues to go to your old address and is intercepted, the newcomers could use it to hijack your ID, open new accounts in your name and leave unpaid bills.

Deadly Sin no. 3: Forgetting to adjust your finances when you split

Every time you apply for or take out a joint credit account, such as a mortgage or even a mobile phone contract, you create what is known as a financial association. All these associations are listed in your credit report and lenders may check your financial associates' credit report when you make an application, because their circumstances can affect your ability to repay what you owe. So if your ex gets into money trouble, you could suffer.

Add to your to-do list:
* Agree who will take on what debt.
* Cancel old joint accounts and set up new, individual accounts.
* Tell the credit reference agencies immediately - Experian is the largest - and ask for the financial association to be removed from your credit report.

Deadly Sin no.4: Not registering to vote

Lenders check the electoral roll as a precaution against fraud, to see that you really live where you say you do.

So, even if you have no intention of voting, you should:
* Cancel any past registration, especially if it goes back some years and several home moves.
* Contact your local council or go online to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk and register.
* Check that your new registration is shown on your credit report.

Deadly Sin no. 5: Having an emergency credit card

Lenders don't only take into account the amount you actually owe when they decide whether you should be given access to further credit. They look at the amount available for you to borrow.

Before you make an application:
* Go through your credit report and look for unused accounts.
* See if you can roll up several smaller outstanding amounts into a single account - for example, transfer the balances from several cards onto a single card.
* Simply cutting up the cards is not enough.  Pay off and close down any accounts you no longer need or rarely use.

Deadly Sin no. 6: Not having any credit accounts

You might think that lenders would love people who haven't borrowed a penny or have long since paid off what they owe and shut the accounts down. In practice, this means that you don't have a recent track record that shows you are a reliable borrower - and you could be penalised.  

Consider:
* Taking out a credit-building card, using it for everyday shopping and repaying the total, in full, every month. Missing payments is as bad as having no credit history at all.
* Talking to your bank manager and getting a personal reference if you want a loan or find it difficult to qualify for a card.

Deadly Sin no. 7: Making multiple credit applications in a few months

Never window shop for a new loan, card, mortgage or any other form of credit by making a full application - lenders will check your credit report each and every time and every check will leave a trace. Other lenders may interpret these as a sign of desperation or even suspect identity fraud.

Instead:
* Do your research in advance - use personal finance websites, newspaper supplements and magazines and go to price comparison sites to discover the kind of deal you might get.
* Ask for a quotation search that will not leave a mark on your credit report.
* Only put in an application when you're sure you've found a deal that is suitable and affordable.
* See what the lenders are going to see by checking your credit report first:  See your online Experian credit report for free with a 30-day trial of CreditExpert.


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