An organisation, licensed under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, that collects and maintains details (known as Credit Files) on the borrowing records of nearly every adult in the UK. Information on an individual's Credit File is collated from a variety of sources and may include the following:
- Details of people on the electoral register
- Your credit agreements, including details of any late payments and defaults (can be held for up to six years)
- Court judgments and bankruptcy orders against you (can be held for up to six years)
- Previous applications for credit
- People living at the same address as you, such as your family.
These agencies do no more than supply information to lenders, which is then used as part of their credit scoring.
The three main credit reference agencies:
Experian plc
Consumer Help Service
P.O. Box 8000
Nottingham NG1 5GX
http://www.experian.co.uk
0870 241 6212
Equifax plc
Consumer Affairs Department
Spectrum House
1A North Avenue
Clydebank
Glasgow G81 2DR
http://www.equifax.co.uk
0870 514 3700
Callcredit plc
Consumer Services Team
PO Box 491
Leeds
LS3 1WZ
http://www.callcredit.plc.uk
Helpline: 0870 060 1414
