Credit Score Basics > How to add a Notice of Correction with Experian

How to add a Notice of Correction with Experian

Wollit Team2 minute read · Updated 1st July 2024

A Notice of Correction (NOC) is a short note that you can add to your credit report to provide additional information about specific entries.

This can be useful if you have a credit file that contains errors or if you want to explain one-off financial mistakes, like a missed payment or a default.

Experian is the largest and most used credit reference agency in the UK, which makes adding a Notice of Correction to its report quite important. Here is how you can do it.

How do I add a Notice of Correction with Experian?

To add a Notice of Correction with Experian, you can contact them directly through their website or by mail.

Here is what you need to do:

Go to the Experian website and click on “Help and Assistance” at the top. This will take you to the FAQ Experian page.
Once there, scroll down and click on the “Contact Us” button. This will take you to a form where you need to select why you’re reaching out to Experian.
Select "Errors on my Experian report" and then "I want to explain something on my Experian credit report." You will need to provide them with your personal details as well as your 8-digit Experian Credit Report reference number, which you can get from your free statutory credit report or your Experian CreditExpert report. You can also use your 12-digit customer number instead, which you can get if you sign up to premium CreditExpert as well.
In the form, write your Notice of Correction. This should be no longer than 200 words and should not be defamatory, emotional, or unsuitable for publication. Stick to the facts.
After submitting your request, Experian will verify your identity and then add the Notice of Correction to your credit report. This process usually takes a few days.

What does a Notice of Correction look like?

Here is an example:

"I was unable to make my mortgage payments on time due to a period of unemployment. I had been working for several years and had a stable income, but unfortunately, I lost my job due to company restructuring. I immediately contacted my lender and explained the situation, and we agreed on a payment plan to catch up on the missed payments. I have since found new employment and am now back on track with my mortgage payments. I would like to provide this context to lenders reviewing my credit file to ensure they have a complete understanding of my financial situation."

This example is under 200 words, factual, and provides context for the missed payments. It is also non-defamatory and objective, which is what Experian and other credit reference agencies in the UK require.

Can a Notice of Correction improve my Experian credit score?

No, a Notice of Correction alone cannot improve your Experian credit score in the UK. It’s simply meant to explain the reason behind a negative entry in your credit history, such as a missed payment or default.

The purpose of a Notice of Correction is to prevent your lenders from getting the wrong impression about your creditworthiness. For example, you may have a default due to circumstances out of your control, like losing your job or health problems. This is understandable, and lenders should know this.

However, while a Notice of Correction doesn’t improve your Experian credit score, there are tools which you can use for this purpose.

One such tool is Wollit. Wollit is an app available both on Android and iOS, and it works by reporting a fixed-fee monthly subscription as a loan repayment to all three credit reference agencies, including Experian. This helps you build a history of timely debt repayments, which is the main factor that matters for your credit score.

On top of this, Wollit can also report your monthly rent payment to Experian. This can add another line in your credit report that shows lenders that you’re reliable and pay your bills on time.

Over time, this will reduce the impact of a negative entry in your Experian credit report much more than a Notice of Correction ever could.