How can I clear the bad credit history at my new address?

Question

Bit of a long question, but basically, I've never had problems applying for and being accepted credit, but I moved to my new address a few months ago and found out that my credit score here is only 395. A few weeks ago a debt collector came, and I found out the person who lived here before had a debt of over £7000 on just one credit card alone. Her post is still delivered here, and though I don't open any of it, I can tell they're from debt recovery agencies, and companies she still owes money to, etc. I don't open the door to debt collectors now because I know how they work, but since I moved here, about 9 different debt collectors have visited so far. It's getting on my nerves now.
I dread to think how bad the credit history is at my new address and can't believe anybody can be that stupid, as well as selfish. I can't get accepted for anything now.
Does anyone know how long information stays on credit reports, and is there anyway to completely clear it/start a fresh, etc?

Answer 1

Credit is no longer connected to an adress, only to a person. It used to be connected to an address, but this was stopped a while ago.



So even if the previous person had bad credit, it will not affect you at all.



This means that the problems must be connected to you, so you should get copies of your credit report from Experian and Equifax, to see if there is anything recorded incorrectly.



Both of these have websites, and you can pay for an up to date detailed credit report on the sites, or for £2 you can get a less detailed credit report sent out to you by post.

Answer 2

the only way an address can affect your credit rating is if oyu happen to share the same surname as someone else who lived there, or lives there, and they have a crap record. Problem if you name is smith, not so much if your name is acegikmoqsuwy. if it is the surname thing you can get a note put on your credit files (with equifax & experian) distancing yourself from that individual. You can even do this if they are a relative living at the same address. Other than that the problem could be you dont show on the elctoral register (remember when you ticked that "do no include me on the sold copy of the register" - ooppss not such a good idea after all). So you cannot prove you actually live at the address. Most banks etc, knowing that this happens a lot, have other procedures to let you prove where you live. (other bank accounts, utility bills that sort of thing). Catalogue companies are usually over cautious of the address thing, so that may be your problem. Lots of previous addresses tend to make them jittery as well. and then finally there is the "no credit history" thing. if you havent had credit in the last 6 years then you have a blank record. From a blank record no-one can see if your credit repayments are usually on time and so will not "take a risk" on you. Always worth having a credit card which you spend little on (petrol or food shopping) every monyth, and then pay off in full. No interest and lots of "000000" (meaning 0 repayments overdue) on your credit report showing you are a good risk.

Answer 3

UK credit report facts:



If you have a bankruptcy, credit default or county court judgment registered on your credit file, it will usually remain there for six years, after which it should be removed from your credit file automatically.



Limitation period



The Limitations Act 1980 gives creditors a maximum amount of time to start legal proceedings after the last payment or written acknowledgement (note or letter) from the debtor. For most debts, this is six years, or 12 years for mortgages.



You may want to also read the article on Creditor Harassment in the United Kingdom below.

Answer 4

Go to a credit rating service like Experian (www.Experian.co.uk )



For a small fee you can find details of your credit and all the outstanding debt or bad debt at your address.



They will also outline how to remove these references by declaring "no connection to you".



As far as people pursuing ex-residents, you can ony inform the interested parties that the person/persons they are trying to contact, no longer live there and that any continued calls/letters etc. will be considered harrassment. You can then complain to the police or take legal advice about suing for damages etc.

Answer 5

we had the same problems. anwser the door to the collectors and tell them the score. you can prove how long you have lived at the address with tennancy agreements and your own i.d. return all letters as adressee no longer at this address. it does take a few months of persistance on your behalf but it does work ..... ps. the local post office can return all the mail for you free. just take a weeks worth of letters a time there

Answer 6

Your credit score is based on your name at whatever addresses you have lived at. Another person having debt at the same address will not affect it. (Unless it was a joint debt or you are married to them). You can open her mail, then write to the companies telling them she has moved. If they persist you can report them to the fsa. They may want proof that you are not her with a new name, so show them your dated tenancy agreement.

Answer 7

u need to open all the post and ring the companies and tell them that she doesn't live there anymore! that's the only way they will stop coming and your credit will be on that address!

Answer 8

You change your credit history by paying your bill, and reestrablishing your credit. Moving to another address doesn't change anything.

Answer 9

credit history doesn't go by addresses any longer, it goes by national insurance number as so many people were changing addresses and some changing their names.