Your credit report
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When giving advice to clients, and if a report is required due to issues such as missed payments, defaults, CCJ's, IVAs, debt management plans, or bankruptcy, then we always recommend downloading a report from checkmyfile.com.
Top reasons to use them over other options
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Very easy to read and understand.
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They show everything reported to the 3 main credit reference agencies (Transunion, Equifax and Experian), whereas other options only use one. This can lead to issues when applying for a mortgage if we can't see the full picture
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Look for differences in what's been reported by the same lender/provider between different agencies
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Identify problem accounts, and take steps to minimise their impact
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See the types of credit reported from your electric bill to your mortgage
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View up to 6 years' history of your repayment performance
How to download and print your credit report
Step 1: Log in or sign up to see your credit report
If you haven’t already, you will need to sign up to checkmyfile to view your credit report online before you can download it. You can try them for free for 30 days, and then it’s £14.99 a month, which you can cancel online, by email or via our freephone number.
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It typically takes less than 5 minutes to sign up via computer, tablet, or smartphone and in most cases your credit report will be available to view online immediately, as long as they are able to authenticate you online as part of their security checks.
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For regular and returning customers, you can log in to your account and, if necessary, reactivate your subscription at any time to ensure you’re looking at the most up-to-date version of your credit report.
Step 2: Click "download printable report"
When logged into your account, you can access a PDF copy of your credit report by clicking the ‘Download Printable Report’ button at the bottom of your credit report.
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If this is the first time accessing your PDF credit report, it may take a few moments to generate.
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Once your downloadable report has been generated, click the ‘View Downloadable Report’ button to download the encrypted file. You will need your unique password to unlock the PDF version of your credit report, which appears on screen when clicking the ‘View Downloadable Report’ button.
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Once you have entered your PDF password, you’ll have access to the downloadable copy of your credit report, and you’ll be able to save it to your device.
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Remember that unlike your online credit report, a downloaded version will not update. In order to view an updated copy of your Report, you’ll need to log in and view the information online. Checkmyfile credit reports are updated monthly, to match the frequency with which most lenders provide updates to the Credit Reference Agencies.
Step 3: Save or send your credit report as a PDF
It is very important that you treat any downloaded or printed copy of your credit report as securely as you would the online version.
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Once you have downloaded your credit report, delete any temporary or cached internet files from your computer and be sure not to leave it open on your screen. Once you no longer need the printed copy, it should be destroyed.
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If you plan on keeping your credit report as a PDF on your computer, we recommend keeping it password protected due to the amount of sensitive information held. We also recommend encrypting the document if you intend to send this by email at any point.
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On most mobile devices you will have the option to save the document or send it as an attachment via email, but you might want to ensure that your device encrypts emails before sending them to make sure you get the highest level of security when sending someone a copy of your credit report.
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Finally, it goes without saying that you should only provide a copy of your credit report to people you trust.
Because we care, we need to tell you that...
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The actual amount you pay will depend upon your circumstances.
The fee is up to 1%, but a typical fee is 0.3% of the amount borrowed.