Credit History

Hello,

Does anyone know if your credit history from the US shows up in the UK if you apply for a credit card or anything?

No it does not, but it can be hard to get credit without a history here, like a bank account or something. Unless you are a student and not actually earning anything, then it's a piece of cake!

The same thought also crossed my mind.  I actually found it really easy to open credit in the UK.  They give you only a very small amount to start with but it's a start.  I'm moving back to the US for now but may wish to return in a few years.  I'm going to leave my accounts open and have my mail sent to my auntie. 

Debt and credit history don't follow you over international borders.  I'm surprised considering that most US banks and lending institutions have branch offices in the UK.

Debt and credit history don't follow you over international borders.  I'm surprised considering that most US banks and lending institutions have branch offices in the UK.

That's actually not true in all cases, because our UK mortgage lender checked my American credit when we applied.

You are absolutely right that a UK company may check your US credit but.....A debt collector or financial institution cannot collect debt from over international borders.  Example: If you were in bankruptcy in one country, the debt will not follow you to another.  I hope this helps.

A debt collector or financial institution cannot collect debt from over international borders. 

Not entirely true - however, it is quite rare for this to happen.  Where I work, we have seen the odd instance of a company that operates in both countries (US & UK -- I think it may have been GE Capital) chasing debt across the pond.  I think it was a UK (GE) debt that they sold off to a US collection agency (so technically, in that sense, it wasn't the same company per se, but it was the same debt following someone overseas).

Whether they are permitted to do it or not is another matter & I'm not certain whether or not if they are.  Nonetheless, whether a creditor (or debt collector) is technically permitted to do something or not (like breaching Data Protection or committing harassment) -- they still commonly do these these things anyway (it happens every day - trust me!) because they can get away with it.

I emailed Experian about this. They said you can order a copy of your US credit report, which you can then show to lenders when you are trying to get a loan. (This is assuming that your US credit score is something you would want lenders to know about.)

By the way, it says on their website that if you aren't on the electoral roll, and it's because you aren't eligible to vote in the UK, you should add a correction to your report explaining this. Apparently some lenders think that if you aren't on the electoral roll, it's because you're lying about your address 

By the way, it says on their website that if you aren't on the electoral roll, and it's because you aren't eligible to vote in the UK, you should add a correction to your report explaining this. Apparently some lenders think that if you aren't on the electoral roll, it's because you're lying about your address 

That's a really good point, Sweetpeach. When I got my mobile contract the girl on the phone was amazed that someone wouldn't be on the electoral roll, and thought everyone in the country could vote!

I'm going to correct my report because would you believe that I have been here nearly four years and still have absolutely no credit? I am used to it now, and it certainly makes bookkeeping easier, but still.

Yes, but how do we actually correct our report?

I wrote them a letter, but I haven't gotten a reply yet. Their web address is www.creditexpert.co.uk for more information.