To help those applying for payment holidays, three major credit agencies are implementing a special measure called an “emergency payment freeze”.
Three major credit reference agencies, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion have confirmed that consumer credit scores will be protected when people have agreed ‘payment holidays’ in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Payment holidays refer to a pause agreed between an individual and their lender on regular loan payments.
Earlier this month, the government announced that both residential and buy-to-let mortgage customers impacted by the crisis can ask their mortgage lender for a payment holiday of up to three months.
To help those applying for payment holidays, the agencies are implementing a special measure called an “emergency payment freeze”.
This ensures that an individual’s current credit score is protected for the duration of an agreed payment holiday.
Jonathan Westley, chief data officer at Experian, said: “These are challenging times.
"While everyone is rightly focussed on staying safe and healthy, we know that many people are also concerned about the impact on their income.
"If you’re worried about meeting regular payments because of the pandemic, it is crucial that you speak to your lenders and other providers as soon as possible so they can help.
“Many lenders are offering payment holidays or other arrangements to help people who have been affected by the outbreak.
"Through this new industry agreement, Experian, TransUnion and Equifax are helping protect people’s credit scores during these difficult and unprecedented times.”
In addition to the government guidance on mortgages, lenders may be able to make special arrangements across other forms of credit, which may include a payment holiday, reduced payments, paused payments or increased credit limits.
These are all covered by the agencies' emergency payment freeze agreement.
