How can I check my credit score and report with Equifax?
You can check your credit score and report with Equifax by signing up for an account, which you can do here.
When you register, you’ll be asked to provide various information, such as your UK address history over the past six years. You’ll also need to undergo an ID check.
Is it free to use Equifax?
Equifax offers a range of plans and services.
1. Statutory credit report: FREE
The Equifax Statutory Credit Report option enables you to view your current and historical credit reports held by Equifax.
2. Equifax Credit Report & Score: FREE for 30 days, then £14.95 per month
Access a detailed view of your credit report, plus get tips on how to improve your credit score, as well as personalised financial hints. You will be notified of any changes to your report or score.
This plan also includes Equifax WebDetect, an identity protection tool designed to spot and prevent possible identity fraud, as well as Equifax Social Scan, which searches social media platforms to see if any of your personal information is accessible to the public and at risk of identity theft.
In addition to this, Equifax will gift you a 12-month tastecard, which offers discounts at selected restaurants, coffee shops, and cinemas.
3. Family & Friends plan: FREE for 30 days, then £22.95 per month
The Family & Friends plan offers all the benefits of the Equifax Credit Report & Score plan for up to three people. Whether you’re a parent of young adults just starting on their credit journey, or a couple working towards securing a mortgage, this plan could help you and those around you achieve your goals.
Please note that you can cancel your Equifax subscription any time you like.
The Equifax credit score range
We’ve included an overview of each Equifax score range below.
| Score | Score Range |
|---|---|
| Excellent | 811 – 1,000 |
| Very good | 671 – 810 |
| Good | 531 – 670 |
| Fair | 439 – 530 |
| Poor | 0 – 438 |
What is a good credit score with Equifax?
With Equifax, any credit score over 531 is classed as ‘good’. Those with excellent credit will score over 811.
How often will my credit score update with Equifax?
Your Equifax credit score and report will be updated monthly.
How often should I check my credit report?
You can check your credit report as often as you like; doing so will not impact your credit score.
If you know that you’re going to be making a credit application soon, you might choose to check more regularly to ensure all your details are correct and up to date.
It’s always a good idea to check your report when Equifax lets you know of any changes to your account so you can make sure there’s no suspicious activity or any credit applications you don’t recognise.
What should I do if I spot incorrect information on my Equifax credit report?
If you notice incorrect information on your Equifax credit report, you can raise a dispute by clicking on the ‘Errors on my Credit Report’ section. Equifax will contact the company that holds the information, giving them 21 days to reply. If the company agrees to rectify the dispute, Equifax will make the change to your report. While awaiting the outcome of the dispute, Equifax will add a note to your credit report stating that the information is being looked into.
Why’s it important to have a good credit score?
When you make an application for credit, whether that’s a loan or a mortgage, the credit provider will take an in-depth look at your credit profile, including your score.
Generally, the better your credit score, the greater chance you have of being considered for credit and accessing more desirable rates of interest.
If you have a bad credit history, your borrowing options could be limited, and you might struggle to find a credit provider willing to consider your application.
I have bad credit; is there anything I can do to improve my score?
Yes, there is! Don’t let bad credit dishearten you; there are many ways to improve your credit score. Building credit takes time, but with patience and consistent positive financial habits, you could see an increase in your credit score over time.
1. Check your credit report for errors and report any incorrect information to your CRA. As discussed, you can raise a dispute with Equifax by clicking the ‘Errors on My Credit Report’ section of your account.
2. Pay your bills and any current credit commitments on time each month.
3. Limit the number of credit applications you make. When you apply for credit, the provider will complete a creditworthiness assessment, which could include a hard search. Undergoing multiple hard searches in a short period of time will damage your credit score. If you need to apply for credit, using a credit broker could help to reduce the number of hard searches you could undergo.
4. Do you have a credit card? Brush up on your credit card health. Did you know that using a credit card to withdraw money from a cash machine could harm your credit score? This is known as a cash advance. If you’re hoping to improve your credit score, you should also try to keep your credit card utilisation as low as possible.
5. Make sure you’re registered to vote at your current address.
Equifax summary
- Equifax is one of the three main CRAs in the UK.
- Equifax offers a free 30-day trial period for its Credit Score & Report service. Once this expires, customers will be charged £14.95 per month to continue using the service. Alternatively, you could buy a Family & Friends plan, which offers the same services as the Credit Score & Report plan, for up to 3 users. The Family & Friends plan also comes with a 30-day free trial period and users will be charged £22.95 per month once this ends.
- Equifax’s credit score brackets range from 0-1,000, with 811 or above classed as ‘excellent’.
- You can check your credit report as often as you like and this will not affect your credit score.
- Spotted incorrect information on your Equifax credit report? You can raise a dispute through your account.
- It’s important to have a good credit score, especially if you plan to make a credit application.
- Not too confident in your credit score? Don’t worry; there are several things you can do including checking your credit report for errors and paying your bills on time.
Need financial support?
You can get free financial advice from StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.