Report vs score — what's the difference
Two different things sit behind “your credit”:
- Your credit report (or credit file) is the factual record — your accounts, credit cards, loans, whether you pay on time, your address history, whether you’re on the electoral roll, and any defaults, CCJs or missed payments. This is what actually matters.
- Your credit score is just a number each agency works out from that report, to give you a rough guide. There is no single universal score — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion each score differently, and lenders use their own scoring on top. So treat the number as a signpost, not the truth.
Why it’s worth checkingYour report decides whether you’re approved for a mortgage, loan, credit card, mobile contract or even a current account — and at what rate. Checking it means you can fix mistakes, spot fraud before it grows, and know where you stand before you apply for something important.
How to check it — free, all three
You can view your report and score for free at each of the three main UK credit reference agencies. Because different lenders report to different agencies, your file can look different at each — so it’s worth checking all three.
| Agency | Free way to check |
|---|
| Experian | Free Experian credit score, plus your report free via the Experian app or a free statutory report. |
| Equifax | Free credit score (updated monthly) plus a free statutory report; also viewable through partner services such as ClearScore. |
| TransUnion | Free statutory report direct, or free ongoing access through partner services such as Credit Karma. |
Every agency must give you a free statutory credit report showing the information they hold — the old £2 fee is long gone. Free apps and accounts add an easy way to keep an eye on it month to month.
Never pay for a credit reportFree routes cover everything most people need. Be wary of sites that push paid “credit monitoring” trials that quietly turn into a monthly charge, and never pay a
“credit repair” company — they can’t do anything you can’t do yourself for free, and can’t remove accurate information. If a “fix your score fast” text or call finds you,
check it first.
Checking your own score never harms it
This is the myth that stops people looking. When you check your own credit information it’s a “soft search” — visible only to you, never shown to lenders, and with no effect on your score whatsoever. You can check as often as you like.
What you’re thinking of is a “hard search” — the full check a lender runs when you actually apply for credit. Hard searches are recorded on your file, and lots of them in a short space of time can lower your score, because it looks like you’re desperate for credit. Many lenders offer an “eligibility check” that uses a soft search to tell you your chances before you apply — always use that first.
Spot mistakes and fraud — and fix them
Once you can see your report, check it carefully. Mistakes and fraud are more common than people think, and both drag your score down:
- Errors — a payment marked late that you paid on time, an account that isn’t yours, a debt that should have dropped off (most stay 6 years), or a wrong address.
- Fraud — an account or search you don’t recognise can mean someone has applied for credit in your name. Act quickly.
- Being “invisible” — if you’ve never had credit or aren’t on the electoral roll, lenders can’t assess you, which counts against you.
To put things right, contact the lender that reported it and the credit reference agency to dispute the entry — they must investigate, usually within about 28 days, and correct genuine errors. You can also add a short Notice of Correction (up to 200 words) to explain a specific entry to future lenders. If you spot suspected fraud, tell the agency, contact Action Fraud (0300 123 2040), and consider a CIFAS protective registration.
If old debts are showingA debt usually drops off your file 6 years after it defaulted, even if it still exists. If you’re being chased for a very old debt, check whether it’s become
statute-barred before you pay or acknowledge it — and if debts are a struggle, a free
debt management plan or
debt adviser can help.
How to improve it (no quick fixes, no fees)
There’s no magic button, but the basics genuinely work over time:
- Register on the electoral roll at your current address — a fast, free win that confirms who and where you are.
- Pay everything on time — payment history is the single biggest factor. One missed payment can hurt for years.
- Keep balances low — using well under your credit limit (ideally under ~30%) helps.
- Don’t apply for lots of credit at once — space out applications and use eligibility checks first.
- Correct errors and build a gentle track record if you’re “credit invisible”.
Do this now
Check all three — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — for free today. It’s a soft search, so it won’t touch your score. Look for anything you don’t recognise, and make sure you’re on the electoral roll.
Worried about debts on your file? Get free, impartial help from StepChange 0800 138 1111 or National Debtline 0808 808 4000 — and see your debt options.
Source verification
Primary sources: MoneyHelper (how to check your credit report for free), GOV.UK (credit reports available online for all consumers) and the credit reference agencies’ own free-report pages (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion). Specific URL:
moneyhelper.org.uk — how to check your credit report. Last verified 2 July 2026 (the free-to-check point across all three agencies, the free statutory report, and the soft-search-never-affects-your-score point web-checked against MoneyHelper and the agencies). Confidence: High on the framework — the UK has multiple credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion, plus Crediva), each must provide a free statutory report, checking your own file is a soft search that doesn’t affect your score, hard searches from applications do, mistakes can be disputed (with a Notice of Correction option), most entries stay 6 years, and score-improvement basics (electoral roll, on-time payments, low utilisation, few applications) are well established. Key facts: free to check all three · free statutory report (old £2 fee gone) · soft search = no score impact · check all three (they differ) · dispute errors ~28 days · Notice of Correction · 6-year retention · never pay a “credit repair” firm. Scope: UK-wide. Not financial advice — for money worries, get free help from MoneyHelper, StepChange, National Debtline or Citizens Advice.
Credit reports — common questions
Can I really check my credit report for free?
Yes — from all three main UK agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion). Each gives a free statutory report, and free apps or accounts (and partner services like ClearScore and Credit Karma) let you keep an eye on your score month to month. You never need to pay.
Does checking my score lower it?
No. Looking at your own file is a soft search — visible only to you, never shown to lenders, and with no effect on your score. Only hard searches, from actually applying for credit, are recorded and can affect it.
Why check all three agencies?
Lenders report to and check with different agencies, so your file and score can differ between them. A mistake or missing account might show on one but not another. Checking all three (free) gives the full picture and helps you catch errors and fraud.
How do I fix a mistake?
Contact the lender that reported it and the agency to dispute it — they must investigate, usually within about 28 days, and correct genuine errors. You can add a short Notice of Correction to explain an entry. Treat any account you don’t recognise as possible fraud and act fast.
Do “credit repair” companies work?
They can’t do anything you can’t do yourself for free, and no one can remove accurate information from your file. Avoid paying for “fast fixes”. Improvement comes from the electoral roll, on-time payments, low balances and time.
Sources: How to check your credit report for free, and that checking your own is a soft search · MoneyHelper. Free reports for all consumers · GOV.UK, Experian and Equifax. SortedUK is not a regulated adviser and this is general information. Last reviewed: 2 July 2026.