Read MNers reviews of TotallyMoney & find out how to improve your credit score

[EmmaMumsnet]

We recruited Mumsnet users to test out free credit report provider TotallyMoney Testers signed up to TotallyMoney to find out their credit score and look at what has affected it over the years. They then browsed the TotallyMoney site to see credit cards, loans, and mortgages they could be accepted for based on their credit score, as well as tips on how to improve their credit score.

Here’s what TotallyMoney has to say: “TotallyMoney is a Free Credit Report provider, which aims to make consumer credit fairer and more transparent by giving customers the information they need to make the right choices.

Until recently, our customers didn't really know why their credit score changed, meaning they had little idea of what they could do to make it better. What's more, our customers didn't know whether they were eligible for a credit product: their only option was to apply and hope they would be accepted. This was a problem, because being rejected for credit can make it much harder to get accepted for credit in the future.

Now, thanks to our Free Credit Report, that’s a thing of the past. Your Free Credit Report lets you track your credit score and gives you reasons why your credit score has changed, so you know what you need to do to improve it. Your Free Credit Report also comes with Borrowing Power: one number to show the best offers for your credit profile — offers you're most likely to get accepted for, helping reduce your chances of being rejected.

But, why else should you sign up to TotallyMoney? TotallyMoney is free and always will be — and 97%* of customers would recommend us to improve their credit score. Our service is easy to use and understand, we’re the highest rated Free Credit Report provider on Trustpilot, and we're Moneynet’s Best Credit Report Provider 2018.”

If you’d like to find out your credit score and how to improve it click here to sign up to TotallyMoney.

All selected testers who leave their feedback on this thread will receive a £10 voucher of their choice (from a list) for taking part AND will be entered into a prize draw to win one of three £100 vouchers.

Testers please answer the following questions:

• How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney?
• How did you find the sign-up process?
• Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And which were most useful to you?
• What did you think of your Borrowing Power?
• How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)?
• How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed?

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Terms and conditions apply

*Based on a Feb–March 2018 survey of 958 respondents.

How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney?

• How did you find the sign-up process?

Easy to sign up, used my iPhone, but it didn't recognise either of my postcodes so had to enter address manually

• Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And which were most useful to you?

Useful to know credit rating, I had checked on Doddle last week and it was similar to that rating.

• What did you think of your Borrowing Power?

Surprised as I'm currently a SAHM with £0 of my own earnings.

• How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)?

Useful, usually I would go to moneysavingexpert to find loans or cards but next time I might try this.

• How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed?

I already had a good idea of my credit rating but it was interesting to know who would lend to me should I need it.

How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney? I Found the experience really positive.

• How did you find the sign-up process? Really quick and easy took 2 mins from my phone
• Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And which were most useful to you? It's really important to now you're credit rating I don't currently have a mortgage but being able to check my score will help choose the right mortgage for me based on my score
• What did you think of your Borrowing Power? Not to bad actually considering I'm a stay at home mum thought it would be lower.
• How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)? Very useful usually use money supermarket etc but would definitely use next time.
• How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed? I had vague idea if my score but good to know who would give me a credit card or loan if one day I may need it.

How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney?

I've struggled to get onto the site for a few days and am late getting my return on slightly sorry.
once on it was simple to use.

• How did you find the sign-up process?

sign up was clear and straightforward.

• Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And which were most useful to you?

getting recommendations and having so much information in one place

• What did you think of your Borrowing Power?

it was useful for me as I am looking at a joint mortgage next year so it's helped me to understand chances

• How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)?

useful to know. from a financial background in previous job but this level of detail was useful

• How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed?

made me more aware and given me the push to look at things like savings versus cards or loans

How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney? I found it useful but more information on each page would have helped, it gave facts and figures but didn't really explain them, for example it tells you what your credit score is, but is a higher or lower score what you are aiming for?

- How did you find the sign-up process?
Extremely quick and easy, although it did ask when I last signed up for a new phone contract and I wasn't sure if that included 1 month rolling contracts, and/or continuing with same provider but tied in for another 2 years (luckily I guessed right but it could be made clearer as I felt pressure to get it right as getting it wrong could have meant I couldn't sign up)

- Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And which were most useful to you? Seeing credit score and being able to check accounts so I know that there isn't anything open that shouldn't be

- What did you think of your Borrowing Power?
Quite scary actually, it's easy to see how people get in to a lot of debt

- How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)? Useful but I would probably get more than one opinion before committing myself

- How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed? I now know my credit score, I know that I haven't got anything against me that shouldn't be there and I know how I can improve my credit score if necessary (it's not)

Is there any reason it's out of 710? Seems an odd number and a quick Google tells me that my score isn't very good, yet it's in the top band on TotallyMoney, so do different websites use different scoring systems? I just assumed it would be universal scores

• How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney?

TotallyMoney was really easy to use, great layout, all the information you need to see and more. I only accessed from a mobile but the experience didn't feel hindered by this at all

• How did you find the sign-up process?

It was really easy and quick, I was into my account in just a few minutes. They only give you a couple of attempts at some tricky financial questions though, which could be problematic for some people.

• Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And which were most useful to you?

The credit report, so I can check everything is as it should be. The score is a good indicator of financial health but there was no real indication of what factors affect the score like some reports offer.

• What did you think of your Borrowing Power?

It was good to see, but as above some more guidance on how to improve/maintain this would be useful. Ensuring the data is all up to date and correct was the most important aspect for me.

• How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)?

I didn't like the redirection to another site for mortgages, and feel mortgages are too important/complex to apply for on a site like this without a broker/some financial advice but the credit cards were great to see which were pre-approved or guaranteed acceptance and which were a high probability of being successful.

• How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed?

Not really, apart from knowledge of a few pre-approved services, as I subscribe to the other CRAs through Clearscore, MSE Credit Club and Noddle, but as Totally Money checks the same CallCredit report as Noddle, I think I would be more inclined to carry on using TotallyMoney as it has a far superior user experience to Noddle.

• How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney?

It was really easy to navigate and had some useful information.

• How did you find the sign-up process?

Signing up was really easy and only took a few minutes.

• Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And which were most useful to you?

I liked the borrowing power tool, also the information in the credit report was more comprehensive than other sites.

• What did you think of your Borrowing Power?

I liked the idea but although my score was high I didn't appear to be eligible for the best products (e.g. interest free credit cards) which surprised me.

• How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)?

Again I was surprised to be recommended such high interest credit cards when my borrowing power was rated as "excellent".

• How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed?

I already had a good knowledge but I like that totally money has a more in-depth credit file so I will definitely keep using it.

Testers please answer the following questions:

• How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney? very easy to use and good simple graphics
• How did you find the sign-up process? straightforward but struggled to remember the answers to some of the questions about what i did 13 years ago!
• Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And which were most useful to you? I liked that it made straightforward headings etc
• What did you think of your Borrowing Power? good, to see though not something we are interested in
• How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)? good. would be nice to be able to search for ecrtain cards, e.g. if there was one that you had in mind. Ive always had a good credit rating but have been turned down before, unsure was rating too good???
• How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed? Not really, be good to see tips ie we are really high up but have been told we wouldnt meet criteria for several of the mortgage providers you have listed, still no idea why...

Thanks and good luck!

How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney?
Much easier than other websites I’ve used, the results were really clear and quite self explanatory. I loved the added extras such as borrowing power. It gives you a much better insight than just a credit score, which I wasn’t really aware of how it worked before signing up.

• How did you find the sign-up process?

Much quicker than I anticipated, and I didn’t have to trawl through or dig for info I didn’t know.

• Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And which were most useful to you?

On a completely basic level, I like the graphics which help show your score. It’s really visual which makes the information a lot easier to take in and compare in the future.

• What did you think of your Borrowing Power?

I was quite surprised and it’s certainly been helpful, after signing up I’m now looking at shifting a credit card to a 0% interest

• How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)?

Simple and much more information than I’d expect from a free service.

• How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed?

I’m actually going to be a lot more careful with my borrowing, I quite like the challenge of getting my score up.

• How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney?

Really easy. Site was straight forward to navigate and intuitive.

• How did you find the sign-up process?

Quick and easy.

• Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And which were most useful to you?

Being able to see offers based on my individual credit score.

• What did you think of your Borrowing Power?

Pleased (and relieved!)

• How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)?

Interesting. Good to see offers tailored specifically for me and the likelihood of being accepted.

• How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed?

Not really as I had checked my credit score previously on other sites albeit a while ago. Comforting to know I still had a good score.

How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney?

Very simple and very quick and easy to sign up, much easier than another well known company who despite me having signed up and had a printout of everything, they say I have never had an account with them!

How did you find the sign-up process?
Straightforward, basic information.

Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And which were most useful to you?

I liked being able to view all the credit cards I have had in the past, which may help me make a PPI claim, as I know I was 'sold' insurance as it appeared as payments on my statement, which I disputed, as I was not eligible as being self employed.

Hard searches none, but several soft searches recently which concerns me. Also an address that I have never lived at is linked to my name which requires investigation.
What did you think of your Borrowing Power?

Scarily excellent, the only borrowing I have is my mortgage, but could borrow any amount of money if I so wished.

How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)?

I actually have their recommended best cards, I only use two card, Amex and a Mastercard when I can't use my Amex. I don't need anymore, but nonetheless enlightening.

I'd like to remortgage so that is a very useful overview of what is available and lenders that I would never have thought of.

How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed?

Yes, a bit concerned about some the soft searches and will make further investigations as I haven't applied for credit in any form for years.

I have a maximum score, so that is good to know, as sometimes regarded as not a good risk as no borrowing!

Thank you for the opportunity to do this.

Hi, I emailed my experience in and Emma asked that I name change and post in the thread so I am pasting my email below;

I'm really sorry but I have failed to pass the ID check required.

Although this does not qualify me I would be grateful if you could send my feedback on this part of the process? I am happy for this to go on the thread but would prefer it not show my usual posting name alongside.

I found the questions really difficult to answer, for instance the question "your current account opened on is it a joint account?" Well this account was opened as a single account and changed to joint later.... which answer were they looking for?

Have you lived at your home address for 1-3 year, 3-5 years 5-10 years 10+ years (paraphrasing) well I have lived here over 5 years BUT I also lived here previously for 10 years (with a gap of a few years in between) which date/time would my credit file be showing?

I'm quite cross that the phrasing of questions means I'm permanently blocked from the facility. As you only get two goes and there are four possible combinations just in the examples above it seems like it was destined not to work tbh.

Thank you for the opportunity and I apologise that I have not been able to fulfil this test

How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney?
Fantastic. Really easy to use and visually great.

• How did you find the sign-up process?

Quick and easy, no issues at all

• Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And

which were most useful to you? I liked that on your credit report you could just see an overview or look into it in more information if required. I also liked the layout and visual aspects. The most useful part was the list of open credit cards that are paid off and I haven't got around to closing down yet.

• What did you think of your Borrowing Power?

This was a useful tool to see what my score was and what I would be accepted for.

• How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)?

This was good to know what they thought would suit me and what I would likely be accepted for. Also plenty of information was included.

• How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed?

I was aware of my credit score but I think this gave me a better overall view on everything.

How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney?
It took 2 attempts to find my credit report but when it did there wasn't anything on it that was new to me, the one thing that did surprise me was seeing that 2 companies who swore they didn't do credit checks, did just that and credit checked me and left a mark on my file. I wouldn't have known this otherwise. I found it easy to use and was handy to know my score

• How did you find the sign-up process?

The signing up process was easy, it allowed auto correct to fill in most of it so took less time. The confirmation email came through instantly and it found my account after the second attempt. I managed to log in first time after I confirmed my email address

• Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And which were most useful to you?

Seeing which companies performed credit checks after telling me they don't. I found the credit cards for bad credit quite useful as it showed me credit building cards

• What did you think of your Borrowing Power?

It was useful to separate the loans, mortgages and loans into sections in bad credit, guarantor etc.im not sure if I'll take any of them up or not but it's still useful to know

• How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)?

I found the bad credit card checker useful as it may performed a soft search

• How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed?

My credit score wasn't great but it was slightly higher than I expected. I was able to see what I was due to different companies and which ones were in arrears or credit etc. It will make me more aware in the future when applying for credit, it's also handy to have a number to work with, that I can see going up or down every month

• How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney?

Very easy, it seemed detailed, accurate and easy to navigate. It correctly picked up that I'd changed bank account recently. I use other online credit checking sites and TotallyMoney does seem better if not the best I've seen. It did however claim I had a small balance on a credit card that has been closed for years, yet says it was settled. Every other credit site claims that the balance on that card is 0. All other information appears accurate.

• How did you find the sign-up process?

The first time I tried to sign up I forgot to use my middle name and it coudn't find my report, but quickly rectified itself when I realised that was missing. Otherwise, fairly easy.

• Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And which were most useful to you?

I like that it shows details of changes in the last month, which make it easy to see what the impact of those would be on your scores.

• What did you think of your Borrowing Power?

Encouraging, but I feel it's best to take with a grain of salt really.

• How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)?

They were okay, but I always wonder how impartial these things are, I would always do my own research. They were easy to use however.

• How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed?

It has concreted what I already knew, and made me more confident in my financial situation.

Sincere apologies for the late reply to this test, we have all been poorly in our house this week and it slipped my mind. Thanks for the opportunity to test.

• How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney?

I loved the fact that it was so easy to navigate. The whole site is set out very intuitively. I tend to bury my head in the sand with regards to money so personally the most useful part was seeing the credit score pie chart. I always feel quite negative about anything to do with money but knowing my credit score was good put me in a much better mindset about it.

• How did you find the sign-up process?

Ridiculously easy. Very few websites manage to be secure without being time consuming. I'm confident with the security questions you chose, nobody else could log in as me yet the whole thing was really quick.

• What did you think of your Borrowing Power?

I was pleasantly surprised.

• How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)?

I'm often a bit suspicious of these as I wonder if the site works on commission ie is benefiting from people taking out debt although on balance as a free site it would have to make a profit in some way. I'm not looking to take out further debt at the moment, but if I was I would find it useful.

• How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed?

I feel actually very positive about it. It's nice having everything all in one place in such as easy to understand format.

• How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney?

It was easy to use. The information is clear and the website is fast and easy to browse. I can clearly see what information is where however I'd like to know what my score means. Is it good, bad, good enough? What could I do to change the score if I need to? Otherwise the website is very well made.

• How did you find the sign-up process?

It was easy to sign up. I assumed I'd need to enter my card details for them to find me but I was wrong. Can't believe how easy it was to gather my details.

• Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And which were most useful to you?

I like how I can see who has made a search on me. It's useful as it helps understand where my information is going.

• What did you think of your Borrowing Power?

It was interesting seeing it but I don't understand why that's my score. I want to know why and how I can improve it or if it's good enough.

• How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)?

I don't think what it showed was relevant to me.

• How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed?

I'm not sure. I'm glad I can see I have no bad records but I want to know more.

• How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney?

It was very quick and easy. It was easy to fill in and the results were simple

• How did you find the sign-up process?

Very quick and easy

• Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And which were most useful to you?

Being quick and easy I liked the most

• What did you think of your Borrowing Power?

Better than I expected

• How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)?

Yeah looked like the best and most suitable deals were found for me

• How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed?

It made me realise it’s better than I expected and to keep doing what I am doing as its obviously making a big different

How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney?

• How did you find the sign-up process?

Really easy, much easier than expected.

• Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And which were most useful to you?

I liked that it was really clear, I also liked the borrowing power bit

• What did you think of your Borrowing Power?

Better than expected! It was nice to see it displayed clearly,

• How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)?

Good, although I don’t trust these things as I suspect companies pay a premium to be recommended

• How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed?

It is clearer. My head it slightly pulled out of the sand.

I used the raise a dispute link and it’s sorted already, dead impressed how easy that was!

• How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney?

Quite easy and straightforward. It found me in 3 -5 simple identity verification steps and have me a clear and detailed report which was much better than Experian. I am looking for a mortgage and to borrow some money and it was simple to check how much I could borrow based on my earnings and credit rating.

• How did you find the sign-up process?

Quick, Easy and straight forward as far as you know your identity details 100% sure.

• Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And which were most useful to you?

1. Quick Signup process
2. A clean, detail, crisp credit report with details of the past account and credit cards along with the current one, easy process of finding the lenders and eligibility check and borrowing power.

• What did you think of your Borrowing Power?

Seems promising, I have only checked it quickly but didn't really apply for any loans yet.

• How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)?

Good sources and promising.

• How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed?

not really a lot but atleast I am aware of if I could borrow or not and how good I am with paying back the credit.

How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney?

Easy to use, I’ve signed up to similar websites and similar time taken, 5-10mins max

• How did you find the sign-up process?

Easy These websites always require 3 years of addresses which is the most time consuming bit but otherwise same questions for each credit website

• Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And which were most useful to you?

Easy to use and see score. Also gives a clear breakdown and in future I see that there is an option to see the trend which will be useful

• What did you think of your Borrowing Power?

This is good to know, don’t have any need for any cards or loans currently

• How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)?

I’m not in the market for current new cards or loans so did not take much notice to these

• How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed?

It’s always useful to know my credit score, more useful will be the trend in future

• How did you find the overall experience of using TotallyMoney?

Pretty straightforward! I was quite surprised as I expected it to be a lot more complicated. First impressions were great.

• How did you find the sign-up process?

Relatively simple, there was nothing that caught me off guard or that I struggled with.

• Which aspects of the TotallyMoney site do you like the most? And which were most useful to you?

The mortgage search was really interesting and a useful tool to have.

• What did you think of your Borrowing Power?

I loved this tool, it’s great to be able to see what you could be accepted for if you needed it.

• How did you find TotallyMoney’s recommendations for products (e.g credit card/mortgages)?

There were plenty of options to choose from which was helpful.

• How has your knowledge of your financial situation changed?

It has changed quite a lot as I tend to avoid looking at my credit report, but it was a lot less scary then I thought it would be and i feel a lot more in control of my finances now.

Have I missed the email on how we get our £10 voucher?
Thank you

I haven't had an email either about the £10 voucher x