Website of the UK government

Correcting your credit reference file

Refused credit

More about your options if you've been refused a loan or credit

• If you've been refused credit

Under the Data Protection Act everyone has the right to find out what information financial institutions hold about them.

If the content of your credit file is inaccurate then you can ask for it to be corrected. This could stop lenders from turning down a request for credit.

To help you find out what information is in your credit file, and to get it changed if it’s wrong, the ICO has published a practical, easy to understand consumer guide, called ‘credit explained.’

Follow the first link below to download the free guide.

David Smith, deputy commissioner at the ICO, said: "Your credit reference file isn’t something you should only worry about when applying for a loan or buying a house – taking this approach could mean mistakes go unnoticed for years. It’s your information and you have a right to check it’s all in order.”

"In these challenging times, millions of people will be applying for credit and the last thing they need is to be turned down because of inaccurate information on their file. If people’s complaints are not addressed by the lender or the credit reference agency then they should raise the issue with the ICO and we will take it on."

• Credit explained - consumer guide from the ICO Opens new window

• How to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office Opens new window

More on Directgov

• Options if you've been refused a loan or credit (money, tax and benefits section)

• Buying on credit: options, pros and cons (money, tax and benefits section)

• Different ways of borrowing money (money, tax and benefits section)