How to check your credit report for free
Get your file and check your score for free
Checking your credit report is in good shape is VITAL if you want to get a mortgage, credit card, loan and much more. And with the cost of living crisis eating into people’s budgets and perceived ‘affordability’, having a good credit report has only grown in importance. Thankfully, there’s no need to pay to access your credit report. In fact, some newbies can even earn money for doing so. Here’s how to check your credit report.
1-Minute Read: How to Check Your Credit Report for Free
Checking your credit report is simple and entirely free. If you’re already familiar with the process and just need a quick refresher, you’re in the right place. For more detailed guidance, explore our “How to Check Your Credit Score for Free” guide or refer to our “Credit Scores Guide” for tips on boosting your score.
There are three major credit agencies that maintain your credit reports: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It’s advisable to review all three reports at least annually, as they each play a crucial role in your credit profile. Here are the quick and free methods to access them:
- TransUnion: Utilize the ExEconomics, which offers free access to your TransUnion report along with other useful features.
- Experian: Sign up for Experian’s CreditExpert 30-day free trial. Remember to cancel before the trial ends to avoid the £14.99/month fee. If you’ve used the trial before, you can obtain Experian’s free statutory credit report.
- Equifax: Access your Equifax report for free through Clearscore.
Get Paid to Check Your Report…
Additionally, new users of Experian and TransUnion can earn money by checking their credit score or report via cashback websites.
Why and what you should check
There are three credit reference agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, and they all hold information on you which lenders use. Even small errors can cause problems, so it’s important you check through your credit report. Most of this is explained in detail in our How to boost your credit scores guide, but below is a quick checklist:
- Check addresses on old accounts.
- Fight unfair defaults on your file.
- Ensure you financially de-link (in other words, separate) if you no longer have joint accounts with someone.
- Rejected? Always check your credit reports after rejection.
- Cancel unused credit and store cards. Find out why unused cards can count against you.
Should I check all three credit reports?
If you’re applying for credit with a specific company and know which credit reference agency it uses, it’s crucial to prioritize checking that particular one. However, as a general practice, it’s advisable to review all three of your credit reports at least annually since each one can affect your credit profile.
Don’t be concerned about checking your credit report too frequently. These inquiries are recorded as soft searches, which lenders either do not see or cannot consider in their lending decisions.
When reviewing your credit reports, ensure you meticulously check every detail and do so regularly. Additionally, always review your reports before making any significant credit applications to reduce the risk of rejection.
How to check your full credit report for FREE
In the past, obtaining your complete credit report for free required signing up for 30-day free trials with credit agencies and then canceling before the trial period ended to avoid charges. However, nowadays, there are more options available, including opportunities to earn money while checking your report.
The method you choose to check your credit report will depend on your priorities—whether you prefer a comprehensive credit-monitoring service that is free for 30 days or a simpler service that is free for life.
Here’s a guide on how to check your credit report, categorized by agency:
TransUnion
Here’s how to view your TransUnion credit report for free:
ExEconomics.com’s totally free helps you keep a track of all things credit. We’ve recently revamped and relaunched our Club, and here’s what you now get, all free, forever:
- ExEconomics eligibility rating. We lead on the ExEconomics eligibility rating, which shows the big picture… when all is taken into account, if you need to borrow, will lenders accept you?
- TransUnion credit report. Your financial CV, a record of all your current credit relationships, it’s important to check it’s accurate.
- TransUnion credit score. The usual indicator of how well you’re doing, though lenders don’t see this when you apply for credit, so don’t rely on it too much.
- ExEconomics affordability score. Lenders don’t just check your credit report, they also look at whether you can afford to repay too, so here we analyse your income and expenditure the way lenders do.
- Eligibility tool to show your best credit deals. See how likely you are to get the top card and loan deals, without having to apply, therefore protecting your credit score.
- Your key credit insights. What factors are impacting how you currently look to lenders, and how to make yourself more financially fanciable.
If you’re already signed up to the ExEconomics App, we’ll just need a few more details from you to set up your account. Once that’s done, logging in to the app will mean you can then seamlessly access ExEconomics from it.
How to cancel your ExEconomics account: It’s easy. Just log in to your account, go to ‘Settings’ then click the big red ‘Delete My Account’ button. But if you’re leaving we’d love to know why – please email us so we can fix any issues.
Or alternatively…
- Credit Karma. Your TransUnion credit report information will be updated every seven days. Apply online or via Credit Karma’s app.
- Credit Monitor – free access to your TransUnion report. Credit Monitor is powered by MoneySupermarket.com, and also offers completely free access to your TransUnion credit report and score.Get paid to check your report & score. You can also earn up to £3 cashback for signing up if you’re new to Credit Monitor and sign up via this Topcashback* link.
- TransUnion’s statutory credit report. A free credit report that you’ve got a legal entitlement to. A statutory credit report is done online, so it’s quick and easy to access, but it won’t usually include any of the ‘extras’ that you get with some subscription services, such as a guide credit score.
Experian
It’s a bit harder to be able to view your Experian credit report for free. Here’s how:
Experian CreditExpert*– free 30-day trial
What you get: Experian’s CreditExpert* offers new customers a “free 30-day trial, then £14.99 a month” service. It gives you real-time access to your credit report, and offers an eligibility checker. You can only do the free trial once.
How to cancel your Experian account: To cancel your subscription, log into your account and go to ‘My Subscriptions’.
Or alternatively…
- Experian’s statutory credit report. A free credit report that you’ve got a legal entitlement to. A statutory credit report is done online, so it’s quick and easy to access, but it won’t usually include any of the ‘extras’ that you get with some subscription services, such as a guide credit score.
- Experian’s Credit Score – free subscription to your score ONLY. If you don’t want to pay a subscription to see your credit report, you can sign up for free to see your Experian Credit Score. You won’t have to pay anything, but the information is limited to seeing your credit score, as opposed to credit report. The score updates every 30 days.Get paid to check your score: you can also earn up to £5 cashback for signing up to Experian’s Credit Score if you’re new to Experian and sign up via this Topcashback* link.
Equifax
Here’s how to view your Equifax credit report for free:
Clearscore* – free access to your monthly Equifax Credit Report
What you get: Clearscore* provides free Equifax credit scores and reports, updated once a month, and also has an eligibility checker. Clearscore’s basic services are free for life.
Clearscore sometimes needs basic details about which bank you’re with in order for you to sign up. For instance, Clearscore might ask you to confirm the first two digits of your banking sort code and last six digits of your account number. These details are only used to match you to your credit report and are not saved.
How to cancel your Clearscore account: Go to your ‘My Account’ page, and click on ‘Delete My Account’. You’ll be sent an email to confirm your cancellation request has been processed.
Or alternatively…
- Equifax’s Credit Report and Score – free 30-day trial. Equifax offers a 30-day free trial, then £14.95 a month. The paid-for service gives you access to your real-time credit report as well as daily email alerts whenever there are changes to your account, like a new search. To avoid being charged, you’ll need to cancel your subscription at least 24 hours before the free trial is up. You can do this by going through ‘My Account’ and then ‘Product Management’ – alternatively you can cancel by calling 0800 014 2955.
- Equifax’s statutory credit report. A free credit report that you’ve got a legal entitlement to. A statutory credit report is done online, so it’s quick and easy to access, but it won’t usually include any of the ‘extras’ that you get with some subscription services, such as a guide credit score.
How to check all three in one go
CheckMyFile gives you a 30-day trial to see your Experian, TransUnion and Equifax reports in one place. After that, it’s £14.99 a month.
To cancel, either call 0800 086 9360 or log into your account, then click through ‘Expert Help’, ‘I need help with my account’ and then ‘I’d like to stop my subscription’.