The Total Debt section brings together everything you owe in one place. You can see the full picture without digging through every open or closed account on your credit file.
Don't worry. Nothing here is new, and nothing is affecting your score any differently. It's the same data that's always been on your credit file, just shown in a clearer, more helpful way.
What the Total Debt graph shows
The graph gives you an at-a-glance view of your overall debt and how it changes over time.
Scroll down and you'll see the full list of accounts included in your total: credit cards, loans, finance agreements, defaults and more.
When the graph suddenly jumps
If you notice a sudden spike in your graph, it doesn't mean your debt shot up overnight. It simply marks the point where we started presenting your data in this new format.
Your underlying credit file hasn't changed.
We're still improving this part of the app, and over time the graph will become even more reflective of your real historical balances.
Why defaults appear in your total
Defaults still count as money owed to a lender until the account is officially closed or settled. That's why they show up here, and they'll stay until the lender reports a £0 balance or marks the account as 'Settled'.
This is completely normal.
But if a defaulted account should now show £0 and doesn't (for example, if it was written off as part of a bankruptcy or Individual Voluntary Arrangement), it's worth raising this with the lender first so they can update your credit file correctly.
When your debt looks out of date
Most lenders only update your credit file once a month, and some even less often than that. So anything you've paid off recently might not appear straight away.
If something looks seriously out of date, you can raise a dispute directly with Equifax. They're the ones who hold and maintain your credit data.
Bankruptcies, IVAs and debt management plans
If you're in one of these arrangements, you might still see those debts here while the lender is reporting an outstanding balance, even though they're being handled in a structured way.
We know that can feel alarming. We're actively reviewing how best to show this information so it's clearer.
In the meantime, if something looks incorrect, your insolvency practitioner or lender is the right person to contact first.