Correcting Errors On Your Credit Report

If there is information on your credit report that is incorrect; or correct but you want to comment on it; you can have notes applied to explain this.

Note: Credit reference agencies cannot and will not remove information unless instructed by the creditor/party who supplied the information or by a higher legal power.

Notice of Correction

If there is information on your credit report that is factually correct but you believe it unfairly affects your ability to obtain credit, you may apply for a notice of correction to be applied to your credit record.

A notice of correction is up to 200 words, written by you, that you can request to have added to your credit report explaining why you think the information is misleading. Examples are:

• You have recently changed your name, got married, separated or divorced.
• You missed credit repayments due to or illness, but have now recovered and are back in full time employment.

Once the note is on your credit report it will be shown to any potential lenders when you make an application for credit. Your statement should not be emotive but should give an accurate explanation of why you think an entry on your credit file is wrong or misleading.

Note: Although a note can be very useful, it can cause a delay when getting credit because lenders’ credit scoring systems cannot read prose like this. This means the report will then have to be read manually which could cause a delay.

Notice of Dispute

If you believe information on your credit report is incorrect, you may dispute these entries contacting your creditor/supplier or by issuing a Notice of Dispute to the credit reference agencies.

Once the credit references agencies have received your Notice of Dispute, they will contact the supplier of the information on your behalf. If the supplier agrees that the information is incorrect, the agency will correct your credit report. While your dispute is under investigation, it will be noted on your credit report. Typically the credit agencies complete this process in 28 days.

Some examples are:

• Repayments relating to a CCJ which have been completed.
• Anything fraudulent you have been victim of (for example, a fraudulent loan in your name with was not honoured).

Certificate of Satisfaction (England and Wales)
If you have paid a County Court Judgment and a payment satisfaction is not noted on your credit report, it is necessary that you contact the Court to obtain a Certificate of Satisfaction. The Credit Reference Agencies should be notified of this within 4 weeks.

Court Decree (Scotland Only)
Decrees are the Scottish equivalent to money judgments
If you have paid/satisfied your Court Decree, and this is not reflected on your credit report, send the credit agencies correspondence from the Plaintiff that confirms payment has been made. This correspondence should include date of Decree, amount, case number and date paid.

Notice of Disassociation

If you are concerned your credit record is influenced by a former business or romantic partner you can apply to have a notice of disassociation attached to your file.

A notice of disassociation states that you no longer have, or have never had a financial connection with the other party.

You become financially “associated” with someone when you have joint accounts; such as a mortgage or current bank account.

If the person to whom you’re associated has lots of debt and/or missing payments – it doesn’t directly affect your credit score, but it is something that a new lender will look at. The lender may see this as a red flag and decide against lending you money.

If you’ve separated from a partner you must break all financial ties. That is,  close all joint accounts and clear all joint debts – before applying for a notice of disassociation.

Removing Defaults

Can I get a default removed from my credit reports?

Once a default has been recorded again your credit report it will remain for 6 years and will be difficult to get removed. The credit reference agencies themselves cannot make a decision to remove it unless they applied it in error. It can be removed only of if:

• Whoever put it there – the original creditor or current debt owner agrees to remove it or;
• Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) instructs it to be removed or;
• A judge instructs it to be removed if you go to Court over the matter.

So, if you believe a default has been unjustly applied to your credit report – you need to in the first instance; appeal to the creditor or debt collection agency whom applied it to get it removed.