How to Fix an Error on Your UK Credit File

The three main UK credit reference agencies, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, do not always hold identical information, so the first step is checking your report with more than one. To fix an error, contact the company that reported it directly, since they are responsible for the accuracy of their own data, rather than relying solely on the credit reference agency to resolve it.

Why checking more than one agency matters

Lenders do not all report to every credit reference agency, and the three main agencies, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, do not automatically share data with each other in real time. This means an error, or simply a difference in what has been reported, can appear on one agency's file and not another's, or appear differently across all three.

Requesting your statutory credit report from all three agencies, rather than relying on a single free app or summary score from just one, is the most reliable way to get a complete picture of what lenders are actually seeing about you, and to spot an error that might only be visible on one file.

Identifying what is actually wrong

Once you have your reports, look specifically for entries that do not match your own records: an account you do not recognise, a balance that is higher than you believe it should be, a payment marked as late or missed that you believe was made on time, or an account still showing as open and active after you closed it. Being precise about exactly which entry is wrong, and why, makes the dispute significantly easier to resolve than a general complaint that something looks off.

It is also worth checking basic personal details, such as your name, address history and any financial associations, such as a joint account with a former partner, since errors in these details can sometimes affect how your file is assessed even when the account information itself is correct.

Why you should contact the data furnisher, not just the agency

A common mistake is assuming the credit reference agency itself can simply delete or change an entry on request. In most cases, the agency is only displaying data that was reported to it by the lender or company in question, known as the data furnisher, and it is that company, not the agency, which is actually responsible for the accuracy of the information and for correcting it at source.

Contacting the data furnisher directly, in writing, clearly explaining what is incorrect and what you believe the correct information should be, is generally the most effective first step. The credit reference agency can also be notified of the dispute and, depending on the circumstances, may temporarily flag the disputed entry while the matter is investigated.

What happens if the dispute is not resolved quickly

If the data furnisher does not correct the error within a reasonable period, generally understood to be around 28 days for this kind of dispute, the next step is to raise it as a formal complaint with the firm, following their official complaints process. This creates a clear record and starts a timeline that matters if the issue needs to be escalated further.

If the firm's final response is unsatisfactory, or no final response is given within eight weeks, and the firm is regulated for the type of financial activity involved, you can refer the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which will independently assess whether the information reported was accurate and fairly handled.

Using a Notice of Correction when a dispute cannot be fully resolved

If a dispute genuinely cannot be resolved, for example because both sides have a reasonable but conflicting account of events, you can ask a credit reference agency to add a Notice of Correction to your file: a short statement, written by you, explaining your side of the situation. This will not remove the disputed entry, but it does mean any future lender reviewing your file also sees your explanation alongside it.

This is generally treated as a fallback option rather than a first step, since a genuine correction of inaccurate data is a better outcome than an explanatory note attached to an entry that remains technically unresolved.

Why timing matters before a big application

Because credit file corrections can take weeks to fully process once agreed, discovering and disputing an error the week before submitting a mortgage or major credit application leaves very little room to resolve it in time. Checking your credit file several months ahead of any known major application gives enough time to identify, dispute and correct any errors well before a lender actually looks at your file.

This is particularly relevant if you have reason to believe an error exists, such as a dispute with a previous account you closed, a joint account from an old relationship, or a payment you believe was processed on time despite being marked late, since these are exactly the kinds of entries worth checking proactively rather than discovering only when an application is unexpectedly declined or offered on worse terms.

A genuine error versus an unwelcome but accurate record

It is worth being honest with yourself about the difference between a genuine factual error and an entry that is simply unwelcome but correct. A late payment that genuinely happened, even if there were good reasons behind it at the time, is not an error just because it now makes an application more difficult; it is an accurate historical record, and disputing it on that basis alone is unlikely to succeed.

A genuine dispute is appropriate when the actual facts are wrong: a payment recorded as late when it was made on time, an account showing as open when it was closed and settled, or a debt appearing that does not belong to you at all. Being clear about which category applies before raising a dispute makes the process faster and avoids frustration on both sides when a factually correct entry cannot simply be removed on request.

If you are unsure which category your situation falls into, a free debt or credit advice service can usually clarify this quickly before you spend time drafting a formal dispute that has little chance of succeeding, saving effort on both sides.

Frequently asked questions

Do all three credit reference agencies show the same information?

Not necessarily. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion can hold different information depending on which lenders report to which agency, which is why checking all three is worthwhile.

Should I contact the credit reference agency or the lender to fix an error?

Contact the lender or company that reported the error, known as the data furnisher, directly, since they are responsible for the accuracy of the data at source, not just the agency displaying it.

What is a Notice of Correction?

A short statement you write yourself that a credit reference agency adds to your file when a dispute cannot be fully resolved, giving your side of the situation alongside the disputed entry.

When can I take a credit file dispute to the Financial Ombudsman?

If the firm's final response is unsatisfactory, or no final response is given within eight weeks, and the firm is regulated for the relevant financial activity.