How would you know if you were credit blacklisted? | Notes and Queries

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How would you know if you were credit blacklisted?

Natalie, London UK

The first check is to a credit reference agency, such as Experian, who will send you your own credit details for about £2. I have actually done this, prior to a mortgage application. Their site address is http://www.uk.experian.com/ they give details about getting your credit details, etc.
Mike Whittaker, Stapleton UK

There is actually no such thing as a "Credit Blacklist". Each lender you apply to will look at your credit history along with other information you provide them with and make a decision based on their own criteria. You may find that some lenders will accept you for credit and some will not, even if you are applying for an identical product/loan.
Dave Green, Southwell UK

As the two main Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs) - Experian and Equifax - will tell you, there is no credit "blacklist". These agencies merely gather information from a number of sources - such as the performance of existing credit agreements (information supplied by the credit provider, eg bank, credit card company, mobile phone company, etc) and from public records (voters roll, details of decrees or judgements issued in courts). The CRAs also retain information has searched the records of each individual. This collection of information is then passed to any subsequent company carrying out a search on that individual. From this information, the company itself will decide whether or not to grant credit facilities. Each credit provider will have its own criteria for providing credit - for example, some will lend only to those who represent a good risk in their eyes, while others will overlook the odd missed payment or County Court Judgement. Information is retained by CRAs for six years.
Wilma, Central Scotland