How we write our guides

Why we write them

The people behind PiggyBank have spent 30 years in consumer lending. In that time we have answered the same questions again and again: what is on my credit file, why was I turned down, what does this APR actually mean, and where can I get help if I cannot pay. These guides answer those questions properly, whether or not you ever borrow from us.

How we check facts

• Every fact comes from an official source: legislation, the Financial Conduct Authority, GOV.UK, the Information Commissioner, the Financial Ombudsman Service, MoneyHelper, or the credit reference agencies about their own services.
• Each page lists its sources, so you can check them yourself.
• If we cannot confirm something from an official source, we leave it out.
• Proposals are called proposals. We only say a rule applies once it is in force.

How we keep them up to date

Each page shows the date it was last reviewed. We re-check every source each month and update a page when a rule, a figure or a phone number changes.

Money we may receive

PiggyBank is an official introducer for CheckReport, a credit report provided by Checkmyfile. If you sign up through our link we may be paid. We show CheckReport on credit report guides because it combines data from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion in one report. We also explain the free ways to see your credit file, and the payment never changes what we write.

These guides are not advice

They are general information. For advice on your own situation, free and confidential debt advice is available from the organisations listed on every guide, and they never charge.

Who we are

PiggyBank is a trading name of PB Loans Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, firm reference 704303. You can check this on the Financial Services Register. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will put it right.