Equifax, the business and consumer insights expert, is working actively with regulators, government, credit providers and other credit reference agencies to minimise the effects of COVID-19 on UK consumers’ credit files and to support lenders as they navigate the various financial support measures recently put in place.

With the government calling on lenders to be flexible with consumers in financial difficulty, Equifax has agreed new guidance for creditors with a cross-industry working group which will minimise the change to consumer credit files when lenders agree to a payment holiday or emergency payment freeze.

Patricio Remon, President of Europe at Equifax, said: “Alongside the government and our clients, we want to help households feeling financial strain as a result of coronavirus. Equifax is offering guidance to lenders and credit providers so that they can respond to consumers’ requests for forbearance in a way that minimises the impact on credit files.

“We continue to monitor the rapidly evolving situation and the impact of COVID-19 on consumers and businesses across the UK. Close collaboration between companies and trade bodies across the sector is vital to provide the support consumers and businesses need in this unprecedented time of uncertainty.”

Any consumer who is experiencing financial difficulties that will impact their ability to make a payment should contact their lender or credit provider to discuss the support available.

A wide range of additional information and educational support around credit reports and scores is available via the Equifax Knowledge Centre at equifax.co.uk. There are also a number of organisations consumers can contact for free debt advice*.

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*SOURCES OF FREE DEBT ADVICE

Advice NI (Northern Ireland)

0800 917 4607

www.adviceni.net

Advice NI offer information, advice, advocacy and representation on tax and benefits; debt; housing; employability / help to work; consumer rights; and older people’s issues.

AdviceUK

0300 777 0107

www.adviceuk.org.uk

AdviceUK is the UK’s largest support network for free, independent advice centres.

Citizens Advice Bureau

0344 411 1444

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

The Citizens Advice service is a network of charities that provide free, confidential and impartial advice on a wide range of problems from over 3,500 locations across the UK, including debt and consumer issues.

Civil Legal Advice (CLA)

0345 345 4345

www.gov.uk/civil-legal-advice

Get legal advice in England and Wales if you’re eligible for legal aid.

Money Advice Service

0800 138 7777

www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en

Money Advice Service provides free and independent advice for those in debt.

National Debtline

0808 808 4000

www.nationaldebtline.org

National Debtline is a free, independent and confidential debt advice service run by the charity Money Advice Trust.

Payplan

0808 280 2816

www.payplan.com

Payplan offers comprehensive advice, guidance and support for anyone struggling with debt. Its purpose is to help people find a way out of debt and enable them to take back control of their money.

StepChange

0800 138 1111

www.stepchange.org

StepChange is the UK's leading debt advice charity, and has been helping people break free from problem debt for 20 years.