Welcome to the trust deed forum bj71.

As you may have read, this subject came up on the forum over the weekend and we are currently looking at a way to create access to credit reports on the site for visitors and members.

I think the three main credit reference agencies all offer a free trial, though payment card details need to be entered and you need to remember to cancel if you aren't prepared to have an ongoing subscription. They are Experian, Equifax and CallCredit.

You can get a "statutory report" from all of them by post for £2. See details on their websites.

We are also aware of a service offered by "Noddle" (a CallCredit brand) which is free to the consumer. You'll be able to find their site with a quick web-search. On a Which comparison report from last year CallCredit did finish last (out of the three) for comprehensiveness of content, accuracy of information, and concisiveness/usefulness of the information and advice provided.

Any good use of credit will be helping to rebuild your credit rating.

If you want to get a credit card you may be restricted to cards with very high interest rates at this stage. One card that has been mentioned here in the past is "Vanquis" which some members who have finished their trust deeds have been accepted for. The APR is pretty high so we can only advise, if you get one, only to use it to buy things that you know you can fully repay when the bill arrives.

Vanquis seem to be helpful to those of us with colourful credit histories,APR is horrendous but if you use it for say a tank of fuel then pay it off in full every month it wont matter as interest isnt added.

Your trust deed stays on file for 6 years from the date it was protected(roughly),so it pretty much ruins whatever else you are paying on time,until it drops off the system.

Start very small with the credit and build up gradually,dont expect a big loan,look at maybe a catalogue or get a sofa on interest free credit,you are more likely to get accepted for these.

To ensure you know whats on your files you really need to get copies from the 3 main agencies,equifax,experian and call credit,as they can all hold different things. Call credit are doing a free service called noodle,where you can view your file online,but due to demand you have to give them your details and they will email you when a space becomes available,I am still waiting.

Paul

That's good information about Noddle Paul.

Would you mind adding your experience to the thread I've just started on this subject?

Hi thanks for that info, it just seems a lot of hassle to get your rating sent to you, without them trying to rob you after their ''free trial''...
Is the £2 report really worth it, does it have the info you need?
Does it tell you what companies have received payment from your trust deed?
It would be so much easier if the forum got that set up, i really do wish you luck with that.
regards bj71

Hi bj71.

I'm not sure exactly what does and doesn't come on the £2 statutory report. Hopefully someone who has obtained one will leave some feedback on the forum thread I've started today.

It doesn't really matter which companies got a dividend from your trust deed (information you can get from your Trustee) but it certainly matters if any of the lenders have issued default notices after the time your trust deed started, or if any have failed to mark any default notices as being "satisfied" or "part-satisfied" once they receive a dividend.

Your trust deed firm should send out a schedule of adjudications near the end of the td listing what creditors are claiming.

The £2 for each statutory report is definately worthwhile.

Paul