What is CheckMyFile?
CheckMyFile is a credit reporting service in the UK that gives a complete overview of your credit history.
It pulls data from 3 major UK credit agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
This gives you a single report showing everything lenders typically see when they decide if you can borrow money.
While each credit agency has its own scoring system, CheckMyFile creates a unique credit score based on all your information from all three.
This score can give you a better idea of how lenders might view you overall.
How is CheckMyFile Different From Other Credit Checkers?
CheckMyFile stands out from other credit checkers by giving you a more complete view of your credit health.
Here’s the catch: most checkers only show reports from one Credit Reference Agency (CRA). This can be misleading as lenders in the UK consider data from all three major CRAs (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion).
CheckMyFile fixes this by pulling information from all three agencies into one report.
This way, you get a much better idea of how lenders might assess your creditworthiness.
Let’s break it down simply:
| Feature | CheckMyFile | Other Credit Checkers |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Report Source | All 3 CRAs (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) | Typically 1 CRA |
| Credit Score | Unique score based on combined data | Score from the specific CRA |
What Information is Included in a CheckMyFile Report?
Your CheckMyFile report contains a wealth of credit information including:
- All current credit accounts (loans, credit cards, mortgages, etc.)
- Payment history on those accounts going back 6 years
- Any missed, late, or delinquent payments
- County Court Judgments, bankruptcies, and insolvencies
- If you are correctly registered on the electoral roll
- Financial associations (e.g. joint accounts with others)
- Warnings of potential identity fraud in your name
Having this level of detail across all three CRAs allows you to easily identify any errors or issues impacting your credit score that need addressing.
What’s Not Included?
Your Actual Credit Score from Each CRA – While CheckMyFile provides its own score, the report won’t show the specific credit scores lenders see from each CRA.
How Much Does CheckMyFile Cost?
New users can access a free 30-day trial of the CheckMyFile service. After that, it’s £14.99 per month if you wish to continue your subscription.
You can easily cancel online, by phone, or by email if you decide not to subscribe after the free trial period.
Does Using CheckMyFile Affect Your Credit Score?
No, using CheckMyFile or any credit checking service does not negatively impact your score. These are classified as “soft searches” that lenders cannot see.
Only applications for new credit that you authorise result in a “hard search” visible to lenders. Too many hard searches can negatively impact scores.
How Often is Your CheckMyFile Report Updated?
Your CheckMyFile report updates monthly as the CRAs receive new data from your lenders and creditors. Each lender has its own schedule for reporting, which can affect when updates appear on your report.
Sometimes, updates can take 1-2 months to process fully. This depends on when the data is submitted by each lender to the CRAs. For example, Experian might update one week, while TransUnion updates the next.
If you’re working on improving your credit before applying for a mortgage or loan, leave enough time for recent changes to reflect on your report.
How Do I Access and Use CheckMyFile?
Accessing and using CheckMyFile is simple and straightforward. Here’s how you can get started:
- Sign Up – Visit the CheckMyFile website and register for a free 30-day trial. Enter your personal details and card information. You won’t be charged until the trial ends.
- Download Your Report – After registering, you can download your detailed credit report as a PDF. Use your date of birth in a six-digit format as the password.
- View Your Credit Score – Your CheckMyFile credit score is displayed at the top of your report. This score combines data from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
- Monitor Updates – Your CheckMyFile report updates monthly. A pink banner will appear when new information is available. Click the banner to view the latest data.
- Check for Discrepancies – Review your report for any errors or discrepancies. If you find any, you can take steps to correct them with the relevant credit agency.
- Track Your Progress (Optional) – Regularly check your report to track changes and improvements in your credit score. This helps you stay informed and make better financial decisions.
You can log in at any time to download updated reports as your information changes monthly.
How Do I Cancel My CheckMyFile Subscription?
If you signed up for the free trial but don’t wish to continue after 30 days, you can cancel easily:
- Log into your account
- Click “Expert Help” then “I need help with my account”
- Select “I’d like to stop my subscription”
You can also cancel by email at help@checkmyfile.com or by calling 01872 304050 during business hours.
What Makes A Good CheckMyFile Credit Score?
There isn’t a universally defined “good” credit score. CheckMyFile uses a system from 0 to 1,000, with higher scores meaning you’re a more creditworthy borrower.
But hold on – This doesn’t guarantee a mortgage approval.
Lenders have different ways of judging your creditworthiness. Some might love a high score, while others might value a long history of responsible credit use more, even if your score is a bit lower.
The bottom line: your income, how much debt you have compared to your income (debt-to-income ratio), and what you’re borrowing money for can all play a role
Here’s another wrinkle: each credit agency in the UK (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) has its own scoring system.
They consider similar things, but how they weigh those things can differ slightly. So, your score might be a touch different between them.
CheckMyFile tries to tackle this by giving you a combined score, but it’s still not exactly what a specific lender might see from a particular agency.
Here’s how each agency typically ranks scores:
| Credit Status | Experian | Equifax | TransUnion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 961-999 | 800 – 850 | 781 – 850 |
| Good | 881-960 | 670 – 799 | 721 – 850 |
| Fair | 721-880 | 580 – 669 | 661 – 770 |
| Poor | 300 – 720 | 300 – 579 | 300 – 660 |
CheckMyFile Customer Reviews – Is it Worth Paying For?
This depends on your needs.
CheckMyFile has thousands of reviews on Trustpilot, where it’s rated as the UK’s top credit report service.
Many users find great value in having such a comprehensive, multi-agency credit report.
If you’re applying for any major credit product like a mortgage, carefully monitoring your credit can be extremely helpful. In those cases, the £14.99 monthly fee may be worth it.
However, if you just want a general idea of your credit history, a free one-time report from another service might do the trick. You can always reactivate a paid subscription later if needed.
The Bottom Line: Check My File Explained
CheckMyFile gives you the most complete picture of your credit health. It shows your credit history and score from all three major UK credit agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion)
While the paid subscription is affordable, you can cancel online at any time if you only need an occasional look at your credit data.
Either way, taking a proactive approach by checking your full credit file can help position you for better rates on loans and mortgages.
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