What is a credit reference agency (‘CRA’)?

A credit reference agency is an organisation that collects information about people’s credit rating and supplies this information to banks, finance organisations, retailers etc. The information is provided so that if an organisation is going to lend money to someone e.g. to buy a car or a mortgage. They can make their own decision about whether they think the person will be able to pay back the loan.

Where do credit reference agencies get their information?

Credit reference agencies use Court Judgements to build their files on individuals. In Jersey, these judgements are published in the Jersey Business Brief and are also available for inspection in the Court Registry. This is why it is important to make sure that judgements taken in error are set aside by the Court. The Court Registry is at the Magistrate’s Court, Union Street, St Helier.

How long is a judgement held?

A judgment is kept on record for a period of ten years in Jersey and is enforceable during that time.  If a debt is paid, written proof should be obtained from the creditor, and this can be noted on the file.

What happens if the judgement was the result of a dispute?

If the reason for non-payment of money was due to a dispute such as faulty workmanship, it should be possible to ask the CRA to add a note on file to explain this.

Channel Islands Data Services (Channel Islands Credit Reference Agency)

Website: www.cidsltd.com

Credit reference agencies in the United Kingdom

Please see National Citizens Advice: How lenders decide whether to give you credit – Citizens Advice