Credit reference agency (CRA)
Credit scores & reportsA company that collects and holds information about your borrowing history and provides it to lenders.
Overview
In the UK, the main credit reference agencies are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Each can hold slightly different data, so your score may vary between them.
Lenders choose which agency data they use, so it is useful to check more than one report.
Why it matters
- Your credit score is calculated by a CRA using your report data.
- Different CRAs may show different information.
- Errors in a CRA file can affect borrowing decisions.
FAQs
Do all lenders use the same credit agency?
No. Lenders choose which CRA to use, and some use more than one.
Should I check all three agencies?
Yes. Your data can differ across agencies, so checking all three gives the most complete view.
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