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1. Checking your credit report will allow you to see the information that the biggest lenders see when you apply for credit. You can search for information from all three credit agencies; Equifax, Callcredit and Experian.



2. See information that most UK companies, employers and landlords see on your public credit report (the one that uses Experian data). checkmyfile is the only place where you can see your public Experian credit file, though we strongly recommend you use our Unlimited Access service to see the difference between this and what lenders actually see.



3. Increase your chances of getting accepted for cheaper credit. If you have a good credit score you’re likely to get cheaper credit. If your credit score is not so good, you may find credit card or loan lenders charge you higher than average interest rates. But taking such a credit card and using it responsibly gives you a chance to rebuild your credit rating.



4. Getting your credit report allows you to fight against identity theft. You can see any accounts or searches that you don’t recognise as your own, and identify very quickly if someone else has been applying for credit in your name.



5. Track how your credit rating changes over time during different life events. See how you will be affected when you move or buy a house, get married or get a credit card.



6. Checking your credit report regularly will allow you to see if the information on there is correct. Errors are relatively rare, but some people may find things wrong on their report as lenders do make mistakes from time to time. Any errors may also mean you may be turned down for a mortgage or are not able to get cheaper credit.



7. If you’ve been declined credit you can check your credit report to see the information the lender would see to make that decision. Lenders aren’t obliged to tell you why they declined you, but you can usually find out if you take a look at your credit file.



8. Credit checks are carried out when you apply to rent a house or a flat.



9. Credit checks are also carried out by law in some cases, when an employer searches you both before giving you a new job, and if you are working in financial services, regularly while you are in employment.



10. Thanks to checkmyfile you can get your credit reports from all three agencies all in the same easy-to-read format, with qualified credit analysts at the end of a freephone number to help you understand the contents.

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