How can a penalty charge notice result in adverse impact on one’s credit score?

Question

If one totally neglects and disregards penalty charge notices and the ensuing proceedings etc can it result in adverse effect upon one’s credit score?

Answer 1

united-kingdom

In the UK, if the "penalty charge" matter proceeds to a successful court judgment, which isn't settled by the judgment debtor, then the credit reference agencies will collect and report this judgment as adverse information about creditworthiness.

However, the mere non-payment of a "penalty charge" demand will not typically be reported to credit reference agencies or affect a credit score.

Answer 2

australia

The same way any unpaid debt does

The government can, and does, report overdue debts to credit reporting agencies and they report them along with any other unpaid debts you might have.

They government has an advantage over private creditors as they don’t need to prove the debt in court and have access to more enforcement actions, like cancelling your licence and registration.

To be clear, the fine is not final while you are contesting it in court but once that is done, or your opportunity to do so has passed, the fine, and any additional enforcement costs, is a proven liquidated debt.