Collates information from a variety of sources on the borrowing habits of adults in the UK. This information, such as details of credit agreements, payment records, court judgements etc is supplied to lenders who use it in their credit scoring or underwriting systems. Details of personal records can be obtained by writing to the agency and enclosing a fee, normally of £2-£3.

These are the agencies that compile credit records of consumers and releases the information to companies offering credit terms, such as Equifax or Experian. You are legally entitled to a copy of your Statutory Credit Report by post for a fee of £2 : Equifax, Plc. Credit File Advice Centre PO Box 1140 Bradford BD1 5US or Experian Consumer Help Service, PO Box 8000, Nottingham NG80 7WF

Companies that hold credit information one file.

This is an organisation which keeps records of people's credit agreements and how well they keep to them. Banks and other organisations use these agencies to check on people before lending them money.

Issuers use credit reference agencies to check your identity and the credit history when you apply for a credit card. The information provided includes whether you are a voter at the address you have given (which means you'll be on the electoral register), whether you have failed to repay your debts or whether you have been taken to court for not paying back a debt. Everyone is allowed to see his or her own records.

A company that gathers information on your credit history and supplies it to financial institutions.

Organisations that specialise in providing credit reports that assess an individual or business's credit risk.

When assessing your application, a mortgage lender will study your credit records. These records are held centrally by credit reference agencies, and contain information from many different aspects of your life.

An organisation that collects and holds information on a persons credit history. Lenders will normally approach one or more of these agencies to obtain details on an applicant's credit history.

a company that collects and maintains details on the financial / credit activity of every person in the UK

an organisation that stores and puts together financial and publicly available information about almost every adult in the UK

A private company that keeps computer records about the use of credit by individuals. When someone applies for credit, the credit company will check with the agency about your previous credit history before deciding whether to offer the credit.

Establishes whether a person or organisation is a good or poor credit risk. A customer's information is forwarded to the CRA, who then checks the customer's credit history. The CRA determines whether there is any history of unpaid accounts, slow payment or any similar circumstances which would result in a poor credit rating.

A company which gathers data relating to your credit history and supplies such data to banks and building societies. You have the right to know what information these agencies hold about you, although there is typically a small search fee involved.

A company that provides lenders with your credit details and history. There are three main credit reference agencies: Experian PLC, Equifax PLC, and Callcredit PLC.

An organisation that collects information on people's credit history for use by lenders.

A Credit Reference Agency is an organisation that keeps details of your credit history. Lenders perform a check with a credit reference agency when you apply for a loan to see if you have any previous financial problems.

A credit reference agency holds files on the borrowing records of nearly every adult in the UK. The information is collated from a variety of sources. The file may hold details: showing the names of the people listed as living at the same address as you (usually taken from the electoral register) your credit agreements details of late payments & defaults - this can be held for up to six years court judgments against you - this can also be held for six years.

Companies who provide financial and other information about UK adults; the information they provide is used by brokers and lenders to help make assessments on individuals' credit applications.

This agency has a collection of your records that determines if you are a good or poor credit risk. You can obtain this information, including your credit score, by paying a small fee.

Companies used by loan brokers/providers to make assessments on individuals wishing to borrow from them. They keep records on the existing credit of businesses and consumers.

There are three main credit reference agencies operating in the UK. They are supplied with information about you including the way you handle your existing debts. Any problems will be noted and could stop you getting credit in the future. Each reference agency will supply the record it holds about you for £2* but you need to supply your name and all addresses at which you have lived in the past six years. If the information is inaccurate you can insist on a correction. The main agencies are listed in the Useful Contacts section.

Thes companies collects and stores financial and public records regarding the payment history of a prospective borrower. As they have information from many sources (eg: lenders, county courts, electoral rolls), and to reduce potential risk, most lenders employ a Credit Reference Agency to check your payment records as part of their assessment of your application.

A credit reference agency is a company that tracks your credit history.

An Organisation that collects financial and public records information about payment records of individuals.

An agency that holds information on adults. This information includes public records (e.g. Electoral Roll entries), credit account information (e.g. repayment records for loans, credit, mortgage, hire purchase) and records of credit checks that have previously been made.

An organisation, licensed under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, that holds information about the borrowing habits of people. Financial institutions may contact these agencies for information to help them make various decisions, for example, whether or not to open an account or provide loans or grant credit. Financial institutions share information with the agencies to improve the overall quality of lending decisions.

An organisation that keeps details of individuals and their credit histories. Lenders will check with a credit reference agency to see if someone applying for a mortgage has any known credit problems.

For the purposes of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, this is defined as being a person carrying on a business comprising the furnishing of persons with information relevant to the financial standing of individuals being information collected by the agency for that purpose (e.g. UAPT and Dun and Bradstreet). To comply with the Act, such agencies must have a licence. A creditor must supply a debtor with the name and address of the agency consulted, if such a request is made in writing within 28 days of the end or negotiations relating to a 'regulated agreement. N.B. Banks are not Credit Reference Agencies.

An agency which holds information about the credit reliability of consumers and makes the information available at a fee to companies offering credit terms (e.g. credit card companies, mail order companies).

A credit reference agency is a business, which collects information on the financial standing of individuals with the specific intention of making the information available to others. A licence under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 is required if the information is made available to third parties.

A company which collects and stores information used by lenders to determine an individual's credit risk. You have the right to see this information, for a small fee.

Credit card issuers use credit reference agencies when you apply for a credit card. Credit reference agencies collect information on your credit history and supply this to banks or building societies. You are allowed to see the information held by credit reference agencies about you for a small fee.