In this guide
- Our verdict
- Details
- Product overview
- Your reviews
By Kate Steere
Updated
Fact checked
- Account fee
- £0
- Interest (AER)
- 0% AER
Our verdict
A debit card that links to your bank account to build your credit - for a fee.
BuildMyCreditScore is offering an alternative option to a credit rebuilder loan or credit card. Its big selling point is that it provides a solution that doesn't involve any further borrowing or hard searches on your credit profile.
However, you'll need to demonstrate positive financial behaviours to make BuildMyCreditScore worth it. Yes, it reports on-time payments, but it also reports late payments. So unless you keep on top of your spending, you may not truly benefit from its service. Also, keep in mind it comes with a fee.
If you have a poor credit score and are looking for a bank account to open now, our guide on opening a bank account with bad or no credit has a list of banks that allow you to open an account without going through a credit check.
Pros
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Improves your credit score without credit or loans
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Links to major UK high street banks
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Soft search when applying
Cons
-
Fees are high
-
Not all UK banks are included
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Direct debits aren’t taken instantly
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Not suitable for large purchases or ATM cash withdrawals
In this guide
- Our verdict
- Details
- Product overview
- Your reviews
Details
Product overview
| Account fee | £0 |
If you’re looking for a different way to improve your credit score, BuildMyCreditScore might be the solution. A debit card rather than a credit card, BuildMyCreditScore links to your bank to help build your credit score through small purchases. But it’s not cheap, with the cheapest option £6.25 a month.
What is BuildMyCreditScore?
BuildMyCreditScore is a debit card designed to improve your credit score. It links to your bank account and helps you improve your credit score through small everyday purchases as well as regular payments like TV streaming subscriptions.
When you apply, BuildMyCreditScore does a soft search, which is not visible to lenders.
How does BuildMyCreditScore work?
You connect your BuildMyCreditScore debit card to your bank account and then use it for small purchases, so you’re only spending the money you have in your account. BuildMyCreditScore processes the payment a few days later using a direct debit. You’ll be informed at the end of each day of the date on which the direct debit will take place.
Then, at the end of each month, BuildMyCreditScore reports your transactions to the credit reference agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
BuildMyCreditScore has 3 different pricing plans: monthly, semi-annual and annual. If you pay one lump sum for the year, it works out cheaper than paying monthly.
Is BuildMyCreditScore safe?
BuildMyCreditScore cards are issued by Currensea Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for the provision of payment services.
It uses Open Banking technology to link to your bank account and offers the same level of security as your bank in terms of protecting your information. As BuildMyCreditScore uses direct debits to take payments, your money remains in your bank account until the day the payment is taken.
BuildMyCreditScore customer reviews
Build My Credit Score has received positive reviews from customers on review site Trustpilot. It currently scores 4.3 out of 5 from more than 20 reviews (updated January 2024), giving it an “Excellent” rating.
Positive reviews comment on the ease of use and that it’s a fast way to build your credit score. However, others have said the set-up process was “tedious”.
On the App Store, Build My Credit scores 4 out of 5 from just 35 reviews (updated January 2024). There are currently no reviews on Google Play.
Frequently asked questions
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BuildMyCreditScore says most customers see an increase within the first 3 months, but you should use its service for 12 months to establish a solid credit history. This also depends on whether you display positive financial behaviour during this period by avoiding any late payments.
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BuildMyCreditScore connects to all the major UK high street banks. You can view the full list on its website.
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circ*mstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.
Your reviews
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Kate Steere
Editor
Kate Steere is an editor at Finder, specialising in fintech, banking and cryptocurrency. She has previously written for The Motley Fool UK and Fitch Solutions, where she covered a wide range of personal finance topics and kept a close eye on market trends. Kate has a Bachelor of Arts in Modern History from the University of East Anglia. When not working, she can usually be found curled up with a good book or heading out for a run.See full profile
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