The latest on credit cards

Thursday, 28 November 2024 at 15:00

We've had numerous emails and phone calls asking for an update on the credit cards issue.

Last year, after a three-year battle, we finally got good news for consumers regarding credit cards, as States Members unanimously supported a proposal to allow credit reference agencies the access to the personal data that they need for us to have access again to all the normal credit cards.

Since then, we’ve been meeting Government representatives regularly to get an update on the progress of this. The Government is currently working to link our electoral registration system to the wider UK system. As part of this work, they are also liaising with Guernsey and the Isle of Man, who are in a similar position to Jersey.

As you might imagine, this piece of work is very complicated, lengthy, and costly – all meaning that this is not going to be a quick fix. At the moment, the Government isn’t able to give us a time frame of when it will be completed, but representatives say that this project it is very important to them, and that they are working hard to move it forward.

Please be assured that we are hearing your concerns. Not having access to a wide range of credit card providers remains a very serious and important issue for Islanders – therefore, it is still an important issue for the Jersey Consumer Council and one we want to see resolved.

We will continue to remind the Government of this and to ask for regular updates on behalf of consumers

Share

More from Finances and Insurance

  • Storm-proof your home – and your insurance

    With autumn storms on the way, now is the time to get your home – and your paperwork – ready. When Storm Ciarán hit in 2023, our office helped many Islanders with insurance claims and appeals, and the same lessons came up again and again. A little preparation now can save you a lot of stress, and money, later.

  • Are Jersey residents covered by Saga travel insurance? 

    We were recently contacted by a consumer who was trying to establish whether Jersey residents are covered by Saga travel insurance policies.  The issue arose after the consumer received conflicting information from different sources within Saga. During a phone conversation with a Saga representative, they were told that Jersey residents who have a Jersey GP would not be covered under the policy.

  • An update on credit cards

    We’ve been contacted by several Islanders in recent weeks who are still unable to obtain credit cards, despite credit reference agencies now having secure access to Islanders’ data through new data-sharing arrangements. Since our last update in July, where we answered consumers’ questions about the new credit data-sharing arrangements, we’ve been told that Islanders are still being refused access to credit cards from providers such as American Express, John Lewis and Barclaycard.

Opinion Poll

The Jersey Consumer Council frequently asks Islanders to take part in polls on a range of topics.

Just tap on one of the options below to cast your vote and see what others think.

ⓘ What does the JCC do with this information?

Connect with the JCC