Credit Reference Agency

Callcredit is one of the leading credit reference agencies in the UK. Credit Reference Agencies collect and store details about consumers and their personal credit history. There are three credit reference agencies in the UK; Callcredit, Equifax and Experian.

Callcredit, Equifax and Experian gain information about consumers and their credit record from various sources including banks, building societies and lenders that have granted credit.

Most banks and other credit-granting organisations subscribe to one or more of these organisations to ensure the quality of their lending. This includes companies who sell goods or services on credit such as credit card issuers, utility companies and store card issuers. Subscribing organisations are expected to provide relevant data to maintain the common data pool.

Credit reference agencies are bound by the Data Protection Act, which requires that data relating to identifiable individuals must be accurate, relevant, held for a proper purpose and not out-of-date. Individuals have a legal right to access data held on them.

The activities of Credit Reference Agencies are governed under UK law by the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

You can view your credit report online with Callcredit's consumer online service, where you can choose from a range of credit report services. For more details visit www.callcreditcheck.com

If you prefer, you can request a copy of your statutory credit report by post. Click here to print off and complete the application form. Your credit report will be posted out to you within 7 days of receipt of your application form and statutory fee of £2, cheque or postal order.

What information does a credit reference agency hold about me?

A UK credit reference agency collates and stores financial and publicly available information about UK consumers. This information is then supplied by the credit reference agency to lenders and other relevant organisations to assist them in establishing an individual's identity, credit standing and ongoing credit commitments. The information provided by credit reference agencies helps lenders to make credit - granting decisions and prevent identity theft.

Information held by a credit reference agency and displayed on a consumer credit report includes data available in the public domain such as Electoral Roll Information, Bankruptcies, Insolvencies and County Court Judgments. Most lenders also share some, or all of their customer data with credit reference agencies. A consumer credit report from a credit reference agency may also contain a consumer's present credit commitments and their credit history, plus any previous credit searches that have been conducted with the credit reference agency using your information.

Where can I get more information?

Callcredit and Callcredit Check offer individuals comprehensive help and advice on credit reports and credit ratings. Click here for more information.