In the UK, there are several ways to obtain your credit score, each offering various levels of detail and additional services. Here are the primary methods:
1. Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs)
The three main credit reference agencies in the UK are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Each offers ways to check your credit score:
- Experian:
- Website: You can get a free credit score report through the Experian website.
- Experian CreditExpert: This is a paid subscription service that provides detailed credit reports, credit monitoring, and alerts.
- Free Trials: Experian often offers a 30-day free trial for its CreditExpert service.
- Equifax:
- ClearScore: A free service that uses Equifax data to provide your credit score and report.
- Equifax Website: You can get a free monthly credit report and score via the Equifax website.
- Equifax Subscription: Paid services provide more detailed reports and credit monitoring.
- TransUnion:
- Credit Karma: A free service that uses TransUnion data to provide your credit score and report.
- TransUnion Website: Direct access to your credit report and score, often through third-party partners.
2. Third-Party Services
There are several third-party services that aggregate information from the main CRAs to provide you with your credit score and report:
- ClearScore: Provides free credit scores and reports based on Equifax data, along with financial product recommendations.
- Credit Karma: Offers free credit scores and reports using TransUnion data, plus financial tools and product recommendations.
- TotallyMoney: Uses TransUnion data to provide free credit scores, reports, and alerts about changes to your credit profile.
3. Banking and Financial Apps
Many banks and financial institutions in the UK offer free access to your credit score as part of their services:
- Barclays: Barclays customers can access their credit score for free through the Barclays app.
- NatWest: NatWest offers a free credit score service for its customers via its app.
- Lloyds Bank: Lloyds provides free credit scores to its customers through its app.
- Monzo: Monzo Plus customers can access their TransUnion credit score via the Monzo app.
4. Government and Statutory Services
By law, you are entitled to access your statutory credit report from each of the CRAs once a year:
- Annual Credit Report: You can request a statutory credit report directly from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This report does not typically include your credit score but provides detailed information about your credit history.
5. Special Offers and Promotions
Occasionally, CRAs and financial service providers offer promotions that allow you to access your credit score for free for a limited time.
Summary
To obtain your credit score in the UK, you can use:
- Credit Reference Agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
- Third-Party Services: ClearScore, Credit Karma, TotallyMoney.
- Banking and Financial Apps: Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds Bank, Monzo.
- Government and Statutory Services: Annual statutory credit reports from each CRA.
Each method offers various levels of detail and additional features, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.