Consumer help centres

Financial information as well as credit reports, credit scoring and general financial advice are available from Credit Reference Agencies such as Equifax  and Experian. About 650,000 people pay Experian every year to check their credit file and in 1999 alone they processed over 80 million credit checks. In addition to giving credit reports, these agencies provide an array of useful services such as consumer advice on credit cards and credit related problems, financial tips and tools, and credit scoring details. The information and analysis offered by these help centres will help you understand and manage your credit information.
For specific information on your rights as a consumer see the Consumer Credit Act 1974. The Act regulates credit and hire agreements up to 25,000 GBP. In clearly stated terms, it regulates aspects of consumer interest, such as:

• The way in which credit card agreements must be presented and what information they must contain.
• How credit cards may be advertised.
• Procedures to be adopted in the event of termination or early settlement.