Bringing a copy of US credit report worthwhile?

I reckon I should get one just to make sure I'm in ship shape.

Opinions/stories on whether it will have any weight in the UK, in re: renting a flat?

 :)Holly

Don't think it will be considered, to be honest.  I'd get one just to check everything before you leave the US for an extended period of time, rather than to use over in the UK.

To my knowledge US credit history wont do you any good here in the UK at least that is what I have been told by a couple people.

And if it is of any use, at least one of the big 3 credit agencies (Experian) is used here too. Bet the others are accessible, if needed.

So far, the only situation where I've found my US records to be of any use is in getting car insurance. They used my claim history (or lack thereof) to give me an estimated level of 'no claims bonus' (discount for not making a claim).

The banks utterly refused to consider my US credit history. The bank manager was sympathetic, but the loan officers higher up (and computer system) didn't give a damn how great my US credit was/is.

'Official' places, ie banks, won't consider it, but it may be useful to give a landlord peace of mind.

Vicky

And if it is of any use, at least one of the big 3 credit agencies (Experian) is used here too. Bet the others are accessible, if needed.

that's true- but from what I understand Experian USA & Experian UK are different companies who don't talk to each other, at all.

Thanks folks!

In this day and age, it baffles me that my credit history will not transfer to the UK!!

I was thinking that it might assure a landlord to know that I have a history of being financially responsible.  I might as well give it a shot!


 

I am going over to the UK too in September and have had to go through a crazy process to get on a social work registry.  Part of the process included a background check (since I will be working with vulnerable populations) and a full credit report.  It couldn't hurt.  It might really impress employers and your landlord, showing you are serious.  I got mine on www.freecreditreport.com [nofollow] and it is "free" to register and get reports for one of the big three credit companies, but in order to get all three you pay about $25 online there.  It is a secure site so don't worry about your personal info getting out.  Good luck and happy travels!

-Cathy

Be very VERY careful using freecreditreport.com.  They sign you up for their credit monitoring service at $14.95 a month if you don't cancel the service when  your "free trial" period is up.  I was charged before my trial period was even up and then getting them to cancel their service was virtually impossible.  I had to threaten legal action and a dispute on my credit card. 

Instead of a credit report, I'd just be prepared to have a US guarantor sign for your lease.  My father had to co-sign mine and that satisfied the estate agent in lieu of my non-existent UK credit.

I believe the official FTC mandated website is annualcreditreport.com. You are entitled to get your credit report for free from all 3 agencies once a year, but you do have to pay to get your credit score (when I last did this, it was something like $9.99). I have also found that you have to be on a US ISP to access the site. It would seem to me that freecreditreport is a scam, since the reports really should be free once a year by law, and Kristi's experience would certainly indicate this.

I wasn't able to get my free credit report because I'm not in the US, so I had to buy it.

Good to do once a year IMO.