If you have tried to access your credit report but have been told that ‘we have been unable to provide you with your credit report as we don’t have enough data’, this means that TransUnion does not hold enough information about you to provide you with a full credit report.
This can often be because you don’t have much credit history or you may have only recently arrived in the UK and the credit reference agencies have not received enough information about you.
Don’t have much credit history
Recently moved to the UK
How to build a credit profile?
Don’t have much credit history
You may not have taken out any credit products yet or not built up enough of a credit profile.
If you have lived in shared accommodation (such as at a university) or do not have your own home, you may not have been registered on the electoral roll.
Recently moved to the UK
If you have recently moved to the UK, the credit reference agencies in the UK may not hold much information about you. This is because lenders outside of the UK are unable to share your account information with any of the credit reference agencies in the UK that create your credit report.
If you have got lenders in the UK, you should check with your lender’s what information they hold on you and ensure this information is correct. Double check this against the information you have provided to us as any information that is different could have an impact on if we are able to provide you with your credit report.
How to build a credit profile?
In order to receive a credit report and credit score, the credit reference agencies need to collect information about you so they can build up a picture of you and calculate your credit score.
Some quick things that you can do to build up a credit profile are:
- Register with the electoral office
lenders can use this information to check your identity and address information, being on the electoral roll can help to improve your credit score but, more importantly, help you build up a credit profile).
- Apply for a credit builder product
These products are useful for someone that is unable to apply for any credit cards, loans or other credit products. They each work slightly differently so you should check the details of each product that you are looking at but essentially, you pay an amount to these companies each month and they report this to the credit reference agencies as a loan. This helps to build your credit profile as it works in a similar way to repaying a credit product. At the end of the agreed time, you can then access the money that you paid in. (Please note, there may be a fee you need to pay to withdraw this money.)
- Apply for a mobile phone contract
It can be hard to apply for credit cards and loans if you have no history and, even if you are eligible, you may only see products with high interest rates that you are not interested in. Mobile phone contracts can be easier to be accepted for and this information is often updated with the credit reference agencies so it can help to build your profile. Running these accounts so they are paid on time each month will also ensure your credit score is not impacted and can help to improve your credit profile and score.
- Apply for a loan or credit card
Loans and credit cards are a great way to build some credit history, but they can be much harder to obtain as lenders will want to make sure that you can afford to pay back any money that you borrow. Check your eligibility for loans and credit cards before making any applications so you have a higher chance of being accepted.
When taking out any loan or credit card, always make sure that you can afford to make the repayments on time each month, this will help you to avoid any extra charges and is considered ‘good behaviour’ that will help you to improve your credit score and promote a good credit history.