How do lenders decide make their decisions No one has a given the right to credit. Before giving credit lenders check whether to them you are an acceptable risk and they all have different ideas of what is acceptable. One of the decision factors is your credit rating.

There is no such thing as the fabled "blacklist" and agencies do not give an opinion about whether or not you should be given credit. The lender decides this once they have looked at the information they have gathered. Some lenders use a credit scoring system which gives points to pieces of data such as age, job, home ownership, and of course your credit record. Once these points are totalled it gives a Credit Score which helps the lender make their decision..If you have been shopping around for credit then there will be a number of searches recorded on your credit reference file. In some cases this may be sufficient reason for lenders to refuse you any credit even though you may have no intention of taking up all the offers. The best way to avoid this is to compare companies by rates and quotations without actually going through a full application with each one.

Lenders do not have to tell you why they refused you but should give an idea such as - your credit record. If you think this decision is wrong you should ask the lender how to get the decision reviewed. This could be by providing additional information such as showing that the debts shown as unpaid have now been paid.

You are able toput a statement onto your credit file explaining the situation and about your current and/or previous circumstances. This entry will be included with your file in the future and will be seen by lenders searching your file. How do I obtain a copy of my credit reference file? It is very important that the information held about you is correct and you have the right to request a copy of your file under section 7 of the data Protection Act 1998 to check this. The easiest way to order your file is online (Equifax and Experian) or by telephone (Experian), as long as you have either a credit card or debit card in your own name. Alternatively you can write enclosing a cheque for '2 (made payable to Callcredit, Equifax or Experian), giving your full name, date of birth, current address and any addresses you have had in the last six years (this helps the agency to track all the information it has on you). If you run a business, give its name and address as well, because separate information could be held on you under your business. If you've changed your name in the last six years, please provide those details too. There are three credit reference agencies, each of which may hold different information about you. You may find it useful to obtain a copy of your file from each agency.

Callcredit PLC Consumer Services Team PO Box 491 Leeds LS3 1WZ Helpline: 0870 060 1414 www.callcredit.plc.uk

Equifax PLC Credit File Advice Centre PO Box 1140 Bradford BD1 5US Tel: 08705 143700 www.equifax.co.uk

Experian Ltd Consumer Help Service PO Box 8000 NOTTINGHAM NG1 5GX Tel: 0870 241 6212 www.experian.co.uk

You should receive a copy of your file within seven working days

What can I do if I think my credit reference contains inaccurate information?

Details of how to correct any mistakes will be sent with a copy of your record. If you have any difficulty in either accessing your file or making amendments, further assistance is available from your local Trading Standards Department.(www.tradingstandards.net)

The Office of the Data Protection Commisioner has responsibility for credit reference agencies and produces a leaflet No Credit? on how to consult your credit record and correct any mistakes. You can order copies of it by phoning 0870 44 21 211.