Credit Report Checklist

What you will need

• Which bureau is this report from?: For example TransUnion, Experian, XDS or VeriCred. You can request a free report from each registered bureau once a year.
• Tick each item as you check it (checklist)
• For anything wrong: the account or entry, what is wrong, and what it should say (list): This fills in your dispute letter.

How it works

Checklist in six sections, each item yes / no / not sure with a one-line explanation. A PERSONAL DETAILS: 1 My name and ID number are correct. 2 The addresses are ones I have lived at. 3 The employers listed are mine. B ACCOUNTS: 4 I recognise every account. 5 Balances and limits look right. 6 Accounts I have paid off show a zero balance or 'closed'. 7 Payment history matches what I remember paying. C ADVERSE INFORMATION: 8 Any arrears, handed-over or written-off listings are mine and correct. 9 Nothing listed is older than I expected (old adverse information must drop off after set periods). D COURT RECORDS: 10 I know about every judgment or administration order listed. 11 Judgments I have paid in full are shown as such or removed. E ENQUIRIES: 12 I recognise every enquiry (who checked my credit). 13 There are no enquiries from lenders I never applied to. F FLAGS: 14 Any debt review flag is correct (it should be removed once a clearance certificate is issued). 15 I understand the score and which bureau my bank or landlord uses. issues = items answered no or not sure. fraud_signs = no on 4, 12 or 13, or unknown addresses on 2. Dispute letter (auto-filled from errors): 'To [bureau] disputes department. My name is [name], ID number [ID]. I dispute the following information on my credit report: [entry, what is wrong, what it should say]. Please investigate and correct or remove this information, and send me written confirmation of the outcome. Attached: copy of ID and supporting documents. [date, signature]'. Send it through the bureau's online dispute form or by email, and keep proof.

What you get

• Items checked
• Things to look into
• Possible identity fraud
• Your dispute letter

What it means

• Your report looks correct; check it again every year and before any big credit application.
• Accounts or enquiries you do not recognise can be a sign of identity fraud; report it to SAPS and the bank concerned, and consider a protective listing with the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service.
• Wrong adverse listings or judgments can be disputed for free with the bureau; if they are correct, a money coach can help you plan to settle them.
• An incorrect debt review flag can be disputed; if you have finished debt review, ask your debt counsellor for your clearance certificate.
• If the bureau does not fix it or does not reply in time, you can complain to the Credit Ombud (creditombud.org.za).

Next step: Want help interpreting this? Book a session with a money coach, or speak to an NCR-registered debt counsellor if your report shows arrears or judgments.

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