Silverkat

This is probably a silly question, but what is a credit score ? How do I get one and what is it used for ?

Lorna_D

If you need a mortgage or any other large financial loan the Canadian companies need to know you are a safe person to give money too. Same as they do in the UK. We had an Equifax credit report download from their website for 11.45 pounds.

Silverkat

Lorna,
Equifax is an American company is'nt it ? What did they base themselves on to give you a credit score if you dont have a history in the states ?

I have'nt a credit history in UK as I don't have a bank account there. I'm not a home owner, and I have only ever taken out a credit to buy my first car 20 years ago ! Does this mean I will get a good score or a bad one ?
I've been an expat overseas in europe since 1988 and well out of touch with what life is like in UK.

Coffeepot

If you have taken any credit out or lived here then you have a credit score, my daughter is 18 and needed a credit check to rent a house it came back as a low score because she hasn't had any credit, but she does have a score, don't know about over there ?

Lorna_D

Equifax is an international company. They need your last address in the uk and a payment and Bob's your uncle print off the report. You can also use Experian but they would only take payment from a British credit card so we didn't us them

I would guess that each company you live in has a similar system.