If you’ve checked your credit report and seen that your name doesn’t appear on the electoral roll, don’t panic! This doesn’t mean that you can’t vote or that there’s something wrong with your credit history. There are a few reasons why your credit report might say that you’re not on the electoral roll. In this blog post, we’ll explain what these reasons are and how to fix them.
What is an electoral roll and why do credit agencies care if you’re on it or not?
An electoral roll is a list of people eligible to vote in an election. Credit reference agencies use the electoral roll to verify credit applications, as it helps them determine who you are and where you live.
If your credit report states that you’re not on the electoral roll even though you know that you are, there’s no need to panic- this simply means that the credit agency hasn’t been able to access your data for some reason.
It might be because there is a discrepancy between your credit report and the details held by the credit agency, such as errors in spellings or discrepancies in addresses; or it might be due to something like an out-of-date entry on the credit agency’s system.
How to check if you’re on the electoral roll and how to add yourself if you’re not?
If you recently checked your credit report and noticed that it says you are not on the electoral roll, don’t panic! It may be confusing or even worrying to see this information on your credit report, but there are steps you can take to check if this is accurate data.
The first step is to check if you’re actually registered with the Electoral Commission. You can do this by visiting the website of your state’s Electoral Commission and searching for your name in the electoral roll search section.
Why being on the electoral roll matters for your credit score?
Being on the electoral roll is an important step to creditworthiness. It helps credit reference agencies (CRAs) verify your identity and credit history, so it’s an essential part of the credit application process. If you’re not registered, credit lenders won’t be able to confirm who you are or assess your creditworthiness accurately. This can give them reason to reject applications for credit products such as mortgages and loans.
How to correct any mistakes on your credit report related to your electoral roll status?
If your credit report says you’re not on the electoral roll but you are, there are a few steps you can take to ensure the credit report accurately reflects your current situation.
First, contact the credit reference agency that provided the credit report and make them aware of the discrepancy. It is important to provide any evidence that may prove your registration, such as a copy of your voter card or proof of voter registration with your local election office. The credit reference agency can then update their records accordingly.
Second, if you believe an inaccuracy has been made due to fraud or identity theft, contact Action Fraud – a national service that helps victims of financial crime in England and Wales – for advice about how to protect yourself going forward.