credit reports

Back in 2010, Money Clinic listener Kalyan bought an iPad with a monthly 3G subscription. Thirteen years later, that long-forgotten purchase might stop him from getting a decent rate on his mortgage. It’s a story that shines a light on how credit rating agencies score you and how things can easily go wrong. Host Claer Barrett hears from Sara Williams, who runs Debt Camel, a blog and popular Instagram account, as well as James Jones, head of consumer affairs at Experian, one of the UK's main credit reference agencies. 

Want more? Free links:

UK watchdog calls for reform of credit rating market

How to improve your credit score 

If you would like to talk to Claer about a future episode, please email the Money Clinic team at money@ft.com with a short description of your problem, and how you would like us to help. 

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Presented by Claer Barrett. Produced by Philippa Goodrich. Our executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Sound design is by Breen Turner, with original music from Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Simon Lambert and Tanya Jefferies have read and written all the big money news this week. Why not spend a fun hour in their company as they talk about Greece's future as a serious country, whether it's worth stuffing your pension full of cash at the last minute and whether you really understand the significance of your credit rating.

Also on the agenda is the rise of the challengers - little new banks with big interest rates - and a round up of classic cars worth a punt