How to check your credit report for signs of identity theft

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User AccessMedium priority

About 20 minutes to complete

Run a free credit check via Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion to see if anyone has applied for credit in your name. Catching identity theft early limits the financial and personal damage significantly.

Step-by-step guide

Go to one of the three UK credit reference agencies: Experian (experian.co.uk), Equifax (equifax.co.uk), or TransUnion (transunion.co.uk). All offer a free basic credit report.
Create an account and request your credit report.
Review the list of credit applications. Look for any applications or accounts you do not recognise.
If you see an application or account you did not make, contact the credit agency immediately to place a notice of correction or a credit freeze, and report it to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk.
Sign up for ongoing monitoring alerts if the service offers them. Many agencies provide free alerts for new credit applications made in your name.

5 steps

Why this matters

Identity theft in the UK frequently involves someone applying for credit cards, loans, or mobile phone contracts in your name. Victims often do not discover this until they are rejected for credit or receive bills for accounts they never opened. A free credit check takes twenty minutes and shows any applications or accounts you did not authorise.

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