A complete guide to key UK credit terms including credit reports, credit scores, credit files, CRAs, CCJs, CIFAS, and credit checks.
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What is a Credit Report?
Your credit profile is made up of multiple connected data points including your credit report, credit file, credit score, and financial history.
Lenders use this information to assess risk, affordability, and repayment likelihood when making credit decisions.
This glossary explains the key terms used across UK credit reports.
Credit Report
A credit report is a detailed summary of your credit history showing how you have managed borrowing and repayments over time. Lenders use it to assess creditworthiness and lending risk.
It includes credit accounts, repayment behaviour, outstanding balances, financial associations, and public records. This data is compiled by Credit Reference Agencies and used during credit applications.
Credit File
Your credit file is the underlying record of your financial data held by Credit Reference Agencies. It is the raw dataset used to generate your credit report and credit score.
It includes address history, credit accounts, repayment behaviour, credit applications, and financial associations.
How to Check Your Credit Report
Credit Score
A credit score is a numerical value that represents how likely you are to repay borrowed money. It is calculated using your credit file and helps lenders assess credit risk.
It is based on repayment history, credit utilisation, account age, and credit applications. Each lender uses different scoring models.
Why Has My Credit Score Gone Down?
Can I Improve My Credit Score?
Credit Utilisation
Credit utilisation is the amount of credit you are using compared to your total available credit limit.
For example, if your credit card limit is £1,000 and you’ve spent £300, your credit utilisation is 30%.
Credit utilisation = (Credit used ÷ Credit limit) × 100
Lenders use this to understand how dependent you are on borrowing. Even if you always pay on time, using a large portion of your available credit can make you appear higher risk.
As a general rule, lower utilisation is better for your credit score. Many lenders prefer to see it below around 30%, but keeping it even lower can be more beneficial.
Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs)
Credit Reference Agencies are organisations that collect and maintain credit data in the UK. The main CRAs are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
They collect data from lenders and public records to build your credit file, which is used in lending decisions.
CCJs (County Court Judgments)
A CCJ is a legal judgment issued when a debt has not been repaid. It is recorded on your credit file and signals a serious credit issue.
CCJs remain on your credit file for six years unless satisfied within the required timeframe.
Public Records
Public records include legal financial records such as CCJs, bankruptcies, IVAs, and insolvency information.
These are high-impact indicators used by lenders when assessing credit applications.
CIFAS (Fraud Marker System)
CIFAS is a UK fraud prevention database that records markers when suspicious or fraudulent activity is detected.
A CIFAS marker does not always mean fraud has occurred but indicates that additional checks are required by lenders.
Credit Dispute
A credit dispute is a request to correct inaccurate or incomplete information on your credit report.
You can raise a dispute with a Credit Reference Agency or lender. If the information is incorrect, your credit file will be updated.
How to Check Your Credit Report
Financial Association
A financial association is created when you share a financial product such as a joint account or mortgage.
Lenders may consider linked individuals when assessing credit applications.
Credit Check (Soft vs Hard)
A credit check is when your credit file is reviewed to understand your credit history and financial behaviour. This can be carried out by lenders, but it can also happen in other situations — for example, when you check your own credit report or when a company performs a pre-approval or eligibility check.
A soft credit check does not affect your credit score and is only visible to you on your credit report. These are commonly used for things like checking your own credit file, eligibility checks, or pre-approval offers.
A hard credit check usually happens when you formally apply for credit, such as a loan, credit card, or mortgage. It may temporarily affect your credit score and will be visible to other lenders reviewing your credit file.
Credit History
Your credit history shows how you have managed borrowing over time, including repayments, account age, and credit behaviour patterns.
Want to understand your credit profile in detail?
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Related Guides
Explore related topics to further build your CreditKnowledge:
Why Has My Credit Score Gone Down
Can I Improve My Credit Score?
How to Build Your Credit Score
How to Check Your Credit Report
CreditKnowledge is a credit broker, not a lender.
Editorial Disclaimer: This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. It is not intended to provide personalised recommendations or guarantees of any outcome, including changes to your credit score or approval decisions from lenders. Credit scoring models and lending decisions vary between providers and are based on a range of factors.
This content reflects general information at the time of publication and is not endorsed by any bank, lender, or financial institution. You should always consider your own circumstances and, where appropriate, seek independent financial advice before making financial decisions. Nothing in this content should be interpreted as a recommendation to take, or refrain from taking, any specific financial action.
Page Last Reviewed: 29.05.2026