How to find out how much debt you owe

How can I find out how much debt I owe?

Use a credit reference agency (CRA) to check your credit file. Your credit file helps calculate your credit score. It has information on your:

• Debts
• Bank accounts
• Loans, credit cards and any other credit you have taken out
• Bills, such as mobile phones, utilities and insurances

The main CRAs in the UK are:

• Experian
• Equifax
• TransUnion (formerly Callcredit)

Find out more about debt and credit files.

Can I get a free copy of my credit file online?

Yes. You can do this through:

• Credit Karma from TransUnion
• ClearScore from Equifax
• Credit Matcher from Experian. It does not have full details of debts

You can either ask CRAs to post a copy to you or view it online for free with adverts.

Each CRA gets different information from lenders. This means your credit file may not look the same.

Why are some debts not on my credit file?

A debt might be missing because it is old or your creditor needs to ask the CRA to add it.

Older debts

Debts show on your credit file for six years from the date they are paid off, or the date the account 'defaulted' when you missed a payment.

Information about the debt is taken off your file after this time has passed. Even if you still owe it. This means you cannot find out about older debts from your credit file.

Read more about how default notices for missed payments work.

Other debts not added to your credit file

Some lenders might not add any information to your credit file. Such as utility providers and insurance companies. This is because they do not have to.

To find these debts, you can check letters and emails or get in touch with them directly.

How do I find out if I have a CCJ or decree?

Your credit file has details of County Court judgments (CCJs), decrees and insolvencies like bankruptcy. These appear on your credit file for six years from the date of the judgment.

You can also check the public register of judgments, operated by the Registry Trust.

You can apply for information at Trust Online. There is a £6 fee to access this information. The information is stored for six years.

The register shows:

• If you have a CCJ or decree
• The date of the judgment
• The amount owed
• The name of the court that issued the judgment

The register does not say the name of the creditor, so you will need to contact the court for this.

Find out more about:

• Court action in England and Wales
• Court action in Scotland
• Court action in Northern Ireland

Other ways to find out about your debts

Check letters and emails from the people you owe

Look for account numbers and balances. If you have changed address and did not share the new one, you could ask if there has been any mail for you at your old address.

You could ask the people living at your old address or your old landlord or agency. Remember to give them a forwarding address.

Get in touch with the people you owe

This can be the easiest way to find out what you owe. Tell them you are sorting out your finances. They might agree to a temporary payment holiday.

Sometimes debts are passed to a debt collection agency. The original creditor should have a record of your debt.

Check your bank account statements

You can do this with either online banking, or physical copies of old statements. You might need to ask your bank for copies of older statements. They sometimes charge for this.

You can also look through old direct debits to find debts.

Debts to government bodies

Get in touch with the right department or agency.

• HMRC
• Find your local council
• Child maintenance and CSA
• Benefit overpayments
• Department for Work & Pensions (DWP)

Read about council tax arrears.

Should I wait to hear about debts I don't know about?

Waiting for creditors to contact you should be a last resort, but this might be your only option.

Creditors will find you from:

• Your last known address
• The address on your credit file
• Specialist tracing agents

You must keep your address updated.

Try not to avoid repaying debts or contacting creditors. This puts you at risk of further court action and the amount you owe going up.

Answer 5 quick questions to find out what you should do next.

Be honest – this will just be between us, and we will not record any of the answers you give.

Start

Do you use credit, loans or an overdraft until your wages or benefits come in?

YesNo

Have you been making minimum repayments on debts or even missing repayments on them?

YesNo

Have you received any charges for late payments, or fees for your overdraft recently?

YesNo

Are you currently using credit cards to cover your repayments?

YesNo

Have you been using credit to pay your household bills? Or have you fallen behind on paying them?

YesNo

Things are looking pretty good

No need to worry, things are looking pretty good

From what you have told us, you do not have a debt problem.

Make sure you keep on top of your money. You can use ourbudgeting guidesto get started. This will help if you are falling behind with payments.

If you′re worried about money, don′t wait to come back to us forfree and impartial debt advice. We are here to help you whenever you need us.

Get debt help now

You should act now to avoid bigger problems later

From what you have told us, you may have a debt problem. No need to worry, there is a lot you can do. And taking action now means you start to sort it out quicker.

You can get debt advice online at any time. We will not share your details with anyone.

Get debt help now

Or, if you are not ready to get help right now, use ourbudgeting guides.

It looks like you need help with your debts

From what you have told us, your debt has become a problem. You may be worried about this, but we can help you.

Get debt advice online at any time. We will not share your details with anyone.

We will help you to create a budget. This will show you how much you can afford to pay towards your debts. We will also help you deal with the people you owe. And we will recommend ways to start to sort out your debt.

We are here for you online 24/7. If you need to stop and come back later, that is fine.

Get debt help now

You need help with your debts

From what you have told us, your debt sounds a big problem. You are probably worried about this. We can help you.

Get debt advice online now. You can switch to the phone if you want to talk with someone. Either way, we will not share your details with anyone.

We will help you to create a budget, which will show you how much you can afford to pay towards your debts. We will also help you deal with the people you owe money to. And we recommend ways to start to sort out your debt.

We are here for you online 24/7. If you need to stop and come back later, that is fine.

Get debt help now

Sarah

"It didn't matter how many times I re-worked my finances - I would just keep overspending. I just kept telling myself that I had it all under control, but my debts were creeping up over time."Sarah′s story

Jamie

"I hid it from my friends because I didn't want to be judged. I didn't want to seem like that person who didn't know how to handle money."Jamie′s story

Carol

"When I found StepChange Debt Charity, they didn't want anything from me except the truth. When I spoke to the first advisor on the phone I was in a bit of a state, but she made me feel a lot better and that I wasn't being judged in any way, which made a huge difference."Carol′s story

John, Greater Manchester

"StepChange don't judge you. They're here to help. I feel a lot less stressed thanks to them."

Beth, Devon

"The service has been amazing, I feel a massive weight off my mind and no longer worry about my finances."

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