Credit report & score
Credit reports and scores are used by banks and other lenders to check your credit worthiness. It gives them a clearer view of how likely you are to repay any money they lend.
When you apply for a loan, mortgage or credit card, lenders will usually check your credit score before making a decision.
Check your score
When you apply for a loan, mortgage or credit card, lenders will usually check your credit score before making a decision.
Check your score
What are credit scores?
Credit scores are a number, usually between 300 and 999 that credit agencies like Experian, Equifax and Transunion give you based on how able they think you are to repay lending. They use information from your credit report and other sources to calculate your score.If your score is low is doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve done anything wrong, it may just be the credit agency doesn’t have enough information on you yet. Credit Angel uses Transunion, who score out of 710.
What is a credit score?
Why are credit scores important?
The higher your number, the more likely you are to have your loan, mortgage or credit card application approved.You’re also more likely to get access to good lending rates.
How to improve your credit score?
Why is your credit report important?
If there is out of date or incorrect information about you on your credit report it may affect your credit score.If you’ve defaulted on any payments or have very high debt balances you’ll be able to see this on your credit report and start taking some positive steps to improve.
Credit report FAQs
What is a credit check?
A credit check (or search) happens when a lender checks your credit report. There are hard and soft credit checks. A hard credit check occurs when lenders check your credit score before approving credit cards, personal loans, mortgages or any other credit commitment.Read on about credit checks
What is a thin file?
A thin credit file is one that lacks information. This happens when someone has not used credit products in the past. It means there is not enough information for a potential lender to confidently assess the applicant’s ability to repay any loans.Read more about thin files
Credit Scores & Mortgages
There are no set minimum credit scores for people looking for a mortgage, however, the UK government made changes to the mortgage application process in March 2016 meaning stringent affordability rules must be applied to all applicants.Read more about scores and mortgages
Your score changes, so keep up to date
Credit Angel continuously monitors your credit score and social profiles, letting you know of any changes or potential fraudulent activity. So when your score updates, we will let you know to check back in.Check your score with Credit Angel
Credit scores & car finance
If you are planning to buy a car it is a good idea to review your credit score first so you can make sure you are in the best shape to apply for a loan. Your credit score is an important factor in determining the interest and terms you will be offered.Read more about credit scores & car finance
Improving your Score with a credit card
Having a good credit score means you are more likely to be accepted for credit and more likely to get the best rates and terms available in the market. There are many ways that you can you build or improve your credit score.See our top tips
Credit Scores & Credit Cards
There is no exact credit score you need in order to be approved for a credit card. Lenders all have different credit criteria and a credit approval or decline is not based solely on your credit scores.Read more about scores and cards
How Do Joint Finances Affect Your Credit Rating?
Having a personal connection with someone either because you are married, living under the same roof or have the same surname does not link your credit reports or affect your credit rating.Read more about joint finances
8 Key Factors Affecting Your Credit Score
Credit Scores can be affected by a number of factors that give an insight into your creditworthiness. Although the most important factor is often payment history, there are a number of different aspects of your financial situation that can have an impact.See what affects your score
10 Reasons Your Credit Score May Have Worsened
Your credit score may have got worse due to a number of reasons. These range from something simple like having incorrect information on your account to more serious matters like bankruptcy and repossessions.See what affects your score
Hard Credit Checks vs. Soft Credit Checks - what’s the difference and how does it affect you?
Whenever we apply for a new credit product, whether that is a loan, mortgage or credit card the company offering the service will require a credit check before they accept you as a customer.Hard Vs Soft Credit Checks
How Long Does Bad Information Stay on Your Credit Report?
There are set time frames for how long negative information can remain on your credit file. These time frames vary depending on the nature of the negative information. Negative information that is more than six years old must be removed from your file, an exception from this is certain types of bankruptcy orders.Read more about bad information
How Credit Angel can help
Credit Angel gives you access to your credit report and score in an easy to understand format, putting you in control.
If you see anything unusual on your credit report our UK contact centre is on hand to help, and can even dispute entries with the credit agency for you.
Credit Angel will alert you if anything changes on your credit report, meaning you can react quickly to any unusual activity.
It can also be accessed via a handy app, putting your financial health at your fingertips.
It can also be accessed via a handy app, putting your financial health at your fingertips.