A Guide to Fixing Mistakes on Your Credit Report

Finding mistakes in your credit report can feel like a setback, especially when you’re planning to apply for a mortgage or loan.

Many UK borrowers face this problem, with errors showing up in reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

The good news? You can fix these errors, and it’s often simpler than you might think.

Let’s look at how to spot credit report mistakes, understand your rights, and get your report back on track.

Understanding Credit Report Errors

Credit report errors come in many forms, and they’re more common than you might expect.

Simple mix-ups with addresses or names can affect your score, while more serious issues like incorrect missed payments might unfairly harm your chances of getting a mortgage.

Some errors happen when lenders send wrong information to credit reference agencies. Others pop up when details aren’t updated properly – like old financial links to ex-partners or outdated court judgments.

Even something as basic as a misspelled name or wrong address will cause problems.

Read more: Your Credit Report Explained

How Credit Report Errors Affect Your Borrowing

These mistakes can really impact your borrowing power.

When you apply for a mortgage, lenders check your credit report carefully.

Wrong information might lead them to offer you less money or turn you down completely. Even small errors can affect what interest rates you’re offered on loans and credit cards.

Take Sarah from Chester, who almost missed out on her dream home because her credit report showed a default that wasn’t hers. It turned out to be a mix-up with someone who had a similar name.

After getting it fixed, her mortgage application went through smoothly.

Read more: What Lenders Want To See On Your Credit Report

Checking Your Credit Report

There are three credit reference agencies in the UK that hold personal credit data.

Start by getting reports from all three.

Each might hold slightly different information, so it’s worth checking them all. You can get free statutory reports online, or use paid services that let you check more regularly.

Look through each section on the reports carefully.

Check your personal details first – even small spelling mistakes in your name or address matter. Then review your credit accounts, making sure payment histories match your records. Pay special attention to any defaults, late payments, or court judgments.

Read more: What is a Credit Reference Agency?

Steps to Fix Credit Report Errors

First, gather evidence to prove the error.

This might include bank statements, letters from lenders, or court documents. Keep copies of everything – you’ll need them for your dispute.

Each credit reference agency has an online process for reporting errors.

You can also write to them directly. Explain clearly what’s wrong and include copies (not originals) of your evidence. The agencies must look into your dispute within 28 days.

Sometimes you’ll need to contact lenders directly too. If a bank or credit card company has reported something incorrectly, getting them to admit the mistake often speeds up the correction process.

Your Rights When Fixing Errors

Under UK law, credit reference agencies must ensure their information is accurate.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) gives you the right to have mistakes corrected. If an agency or lender drags their feet, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

You can also add a ‘notice of correction’ to your report – a short statement explaining any special circumstances.

This stays on your report and lenders must read it when reviewing your applications.

Read more: What information is on a credit report?

Preventing Future Credit Report Errors

Set up a regular checking schedule – perhaps every six months. Many people only discover errors when applying for credit, which is exactly when they don’t want delays.

Keep an eye on any financial connections with others. If you’ve split from a partner or moved out of a shared house, make sure these links are removed from your credit report.

Consider signing up for fraud alerts. They’ll let you know about any suspicious changes to your report, helping you spot potential errors or identity theft quickly.

When to Get Help

Some situations need expert support.

If you’re dealing with identity theft, complex errors, or if corrections aren’t happening despite your best efforts, consider talking to a mortgage broker or financial adviser.

Brokers often spot credit report problems early when preparing mortgage applications. They know which errors matter most to lenders and can advise on the fastest way to fix them.

They’ll also tell you whether it’s worth applying for a mortgage while corrections are in progress or if you should wait until everything’s sorted.

Moving Forward

Remember, you’re not stuck with credit report errors.

Stay calm, gather your evidence, and follow the proper processes to get them fixed. Keep checking your reports regularly to catch any new mistakes early.

If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage soon, we recommend speaking with a broker first.

They can review your credit report with a lender’s eye and help you deal with any issues before they affect your application.

Your credit report should reflect your true financial situation – nothing more, nothing less. With these steps and a bit of patience, you can make sure it does exactly that.