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Credit Checking Explained - Unsecured, Personal, Mortgages

What is a Credit Check?

Whatever type of credit you are applying for, be it a loan, mortgage, credit card, store card or hire purchase, lenders will need to carry out a credit check before they can accept you.

Lenders need to perform these checks to see if the people they are considering are already dependable with their current bill payments.

Let us tell you some more about how it works.

What is credit scoring?

This part of the credit check is carried out during the application process. You will be asked to give details about your employment status, your address, your current bank account and credit card (if you have one), and your income, among other things. The lender will go through your answers with a points system, giving you marks for each answer. If your score is above the limit set by the loan provider, you will qualify for the loan.

What is my credit check report?

Your credit report file (or credit check file) began on the day you first opened a bank account, and records every credit card you've applied for, every late payment you've made and every loan you're paying off.

Most of the information on your credit check report comes from the companies you have credit with, such as banks, retailers and finance companies. The file also contains publicly available information such as your address and any County Court Judgments (CCJs) against you.

You have every right to check your credit file: the Financial Services Authority can help you with this. If you believe the information obtained for your credit check is incorrect, you may file a statement explaining why. Inaccurate information can be removed but no one can have accurate information removed from your record.

Can people with poor credit still get a personal loan?

Yes, but unfortunately, lenders offering lower APRs tend to have stricter credit check systems and are more likely to reject your application. You must ensure that you are honest and answer 'yes' when you're asked whether you've had credit problems.

With JST Financial's 'Personal Loans Analyser' you can compare the personal loans available that will accept applications from people with poor credit ratings. This will save you the hassle of having your applications rejected, which can also show up as a bad sign in future credit checks.

Now that I know more, which unsecured loan is going to be the right one for me?

Every application for credit is unique in its own way, so what we have provided here at JST is our very own 'Personal Loans Analyser'. The information you provide will not be submitted to any lenders and you certainly won't be subjected to a credit check. PLA* is designed to help you decide which loan is going to be the right one for you before making the full application for credit.

Click Here to Check Your Credit Rating for FREE

Useful Financial Links

Please find below some links that you may find useful from JST Financial. These links are to external sites and will open in a new window.

Consumer Direct from The Office of Fair Trading carries extensive Loans information, covering everything from Unsecured Loans to Right to Buy Mortgages.

MoneyMadeClear (The Financial Services Authority) offers a great, free to use Loans Calculator.

Trading Standards offer advice on taking out a loan and what your rights are.

If you know of any other links that you believe may be of use to our visitors, please contact us.