ClearScore shows you your Equifax credit score and report. Here's everything you need to know about how it works, what you can do with it, and how lenders use the information.

What's the difference between ClearScore and Equifax?

Equifax is a credit reference agency. It is one of three agencies in the UK that is licensed to collect information about your borrowing habits and compile it into a credit report. When you apply for credit, you give lenders permission to check your credit report. This helps them assess whether to lend to you and on what terms.

The other two credit reference agencies in the UK are Experian and TransUnion. Each agency may hold slightly different information about you, because not all lenders report to every agency. That means your credit report could vary depending on which agency a lender checks.

ClearScore is not a credit reference agency itself. Instead, it gives you access to the data that Equifax holds on you. ClearScore provides this service for free, because we believe people shouldn't have to pay to see their own financial information.

How does Equifax compile your credit report?

Your Equifax credit report is built from several different data sources, each contributing a different piece of your overall financial picture. Understanding where this information comes from can help you make sense of what appears on your report and why.

Where does Equifax get its data?

Equifax collects data from a wide range of sources. The largest contributors are lenders themselves - banks, building societies, credit card providers, and other financial institutions regularly share account information with Equifax. This includes details such as your outstanding balances, credit limits, and whether you have made payments on time.

Beyond lender-reported data, Equifax also draws on public records. County court judgments (CCJs), individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs), and bankruptcy orders are all sourced from public registers and added to your report. Electoral roll data, provided by local authorities, is used to verify your name and address history. Together, these sources give lenders a rounded view of your financial behaviour and identity.

How often is your Equifax credit report updated?

Most lenders send updated information to Equifax on a monthly basis, typically aligned with your account statement date. This means your credit report may not reflect changes - such as a recently paid-off balance or a new account - for several weeks. Public record information, such as a new CCJ, can appear more quickly, sometimes within days of being registered. When you view your report through ClearScore, you are seeing the most recent data Equifax has received, but it is worth bearing in mind that there can be a short lag between real-world changes and what your report shows.

Why might some accounts not appear on your Equifax report?

Not every lender reports to every credit reference agency. Some smaller lenders or specialist providers may only share data with one or two of the three UK agencies. This is why your Equifax credit report might not include every account you hold, and why checking your report with more than one agency can sometimes reveal differences. If you believe an account is missing in error, it is worth contacting the lender directly to ask which agencies they report to.

What information appears on your Equifax credit report?

Your Equifax credit report contains a detailed record of your financial history and identity. When you view your report through ClearScore, the information falls into four main categories.

Personal information

• Full name - including any previous names or aliases linked to your financial accounts.

• Date of birth - used to confirm your identity.

• Address history - your current address and previous addresses, typically covering the last six years. This is cross-referenced with the electoral roll.

Credit accounts

• Credit cards - including the provider, credit limit, current balance, and monthly payment history.

• Loans - personal loans, car finance agreements, and student loans (where reported by the lender).

• Mortgages - outstanding balance, monthly repayments, and whether payments have been made on time.

• Other accounts - overdrafts, mobile phone contracts, and buy-now-pay-later agreements may also appear if the provider reports to Equifax.

Public records

• County court judgments (CCJs) - any CCJs registered against you in the last six years.

• Individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs) - formal debt repayment agreements.

• Bankruptcies and debt relief orders - insolvency records that remain on your report for a set period.

• Electoral roll entries - confirmation of your registered address, used to verify your identity.

Search history

• Hard searches - recorded when you formally apply for credit, such as a credit card or loan. These are visible to other lenders and may affect your score if there are many in a short period.

• Soft searches - recorded when you check your own report (for example, through ClearScore) or when a lender runs an eligibility check. Soft searches are only visible to you and do not affect your credit score and report.

Reviewing each section of your report regularly can help you spot inaccuracies early and understand what lenders see when you apply for credit.

Equifax vs Experian vs TransUnion: what's different?

The UK has three credit reference agencies, and each one may hold slightly different information about you. Because not all lenders report to every agency, and each agency uses its own scoring model, your credit score and report details can vary from one to the next. The table below summarises the key differences.

Because each agency may hold different data, it can be useful to check your report across more than one. ClearScore gives you free access to your Equifax credit report, making it a straightforward starting point.

Can ClearScore change the information on my report?

Because ClearScore displays your Equifax credit report, we cannot change any of the information ourselves. We simply show you the information Equifax currently holds about you. However, if you spot something that doesn't look right, you can raise a dispute with Equifax directly through ClearScore.

How do I change information on my report?

If there is a mistake on your report, you can notify Equifax using our official disputes process. Common errors include outdated addresses, accounts that don't belong to you, or incorrect payment records. Equifax will then investigate your dispute and contact you once they have reached a resolution. This can take several weeks, depending on the complexity of the issue and whether the original lender needs to be consulted.

You can log in to your Equifax support account to track the progress and outcome of your dispute. Your login details will be emailed to you by Equifax when you raise a dispute through our website.

If you need any help with your dispute, you can contact our customer services team using our Help section. It is worth checking your report regularly so you can spot and address any inaccuracies as early as possible.

Can lenders see my ClearScore account?

Lenders cannot see your ClearScore account, and your ClearScore account will not directly affect your creditworthiness. However, your ClearScore account shows Equifax data, which lenders can and do look at when you apply for credit.

For example, lenders cannot see the "positive" and "negative" factors in your ClearScore account in the exact way we present them. When you apply for credit, such as a credit card or loan, lenders will usually check your data directly with a credit reference agency rather than viewing it through ClearScore.

Bear in mind that your credit report is only one factor in a lender's decision. They also consider the information on your application (for example, your job, salary, and whether you are a homeowner), any past dealings they have had with you, and their own internal lending criteria. Every lender weighs these factors differently, so being turned down by one does not necessarily mean you will be turned down by another.

Key highlights

• Equifax is a credit reference agency. ClearScore lets you see your Equifax credit report for free.

• ClearScore cannot change the information on your report. Changes must be made by Equifax. You can notify Equifax of any errors using our official disputes process.

• Lenders cannot see your ClearScore account directly. When you apply for credit, they check your data with the credit reference agencies themselves.

• Your credit report is just one part of a lender's decision. They also look at your application details and their own lending criteria.

Understanding what appears on your credit report can help you make more informed financial decisions. Checking your report regularly means you can spot errors early and take steps to address them. These actions may help improve your creditworthiness over time, though outcomes depend on your individual circumstances and how consistently you maintain positive financial habits.

Ready to see what's on your credit report? Check your free credit score and report with ClearScore. It takes just a few minutes and could be a useful first step toward better understanding your financial position.

Frequently asked questions about your Equifax credit report

Does checking my credit report on ClearScore affect my credit score?

No. When you check your credit report through ClearScore, it is recorded as a soft search. Soft searches are only visible to you and do not affect your credit score. You can check your report as often as you like without it influencing lending decisions based on your search history. This is one of the key benefits of using ClearScore - it gives you the freedom to monitor your financial position regularly without worrying about affecting your creditworthiness.

How long do negative marks stay on my Equifax credit report?

Most negative information remains on your Equifax credit report for six years from the date it was recorded. This includes missed or late payments, defaults, county court judgments (CCJs), individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs), and bankruptcies. After six years, these entries are automatically removed from your report. During that period, their impact on your credit score typically lessens over time, particularly if you maintain positive financial habits going forward. In the case of bankruptcies, restrictions may be discharged earlier, but the record itself still stays on your report for the full six years.

What is the difference between a soft search and a hard search?

A hard search (also called a hard inquiry) is recorded on your credit report when you formally apply for credit - for example, when you submit an application for a credit card, loan, or mortgage. Hard searches are visible to other lenders and, if there are several in a short space of time, they can signal to lenders that you may be in financial difficulty or taking on too much debt.

A soft search, by contrast, is recorded when you check your own report, when a company runs a pre-approval or eligibility check, or when an employer carries out a background check. Soft searches are visible only to you and do not affect your credit score and report. Viewing your report through ClearScore always counts as a soft search.

Can I get my Equifax credit report without using ClearScore?

Yes. You can request your statutory credit report directly from Equifax, either through their website or by post. Equifax is legally required to provide you with access to the information they hold about you. However, ClearScore offers a convenient and completely free way to view your Equifax credit report online, with automatic updates and tools to help you understand your score. Using ClearScore also means you do not need to set up a separate account with Equifax unless you need to raise a dispute or require additional services.