Check the details, not just the score
- Names, previous names and address history.
- Account ownership, balances and credit limits.
- Payment status, default dates and settled accounts.
- Public records, searches and financial associations.
Raise the issue with the right organisations
Contact the agency displaying the error and the organisation that supplied the information. Explain the exact entry, what is wrong and the correction you are seeking. Keep copies of your correspondence and relevant evidence.
An accurate negative record is not an error just because it affects your score. If you disagree with an entry, ask about the dispute process and a notice of correction.
Unfamiliar accounts or unresolved disputes
If an account is not yours, contact the provider promptly using its official contact details and ask about its fraud process. Do not disclose identity documents through unsolicited messages.
If you cannot resolve inaccurate personal data with the organisation, the ICO explains how to raise a data protection complaint. For complaints about regulated financial services, check whether the Financial Ombudsman Service can help after the firm’s complaint process.