Obtaining credit can be a relatively simple nowadays. As a consumer, maintaining a good credit record could help you buy a house, a car, furniture or get a much needed loan or credit card.

Credit bureaus are often the first stop for many lenders when deciding whether to grant an individual credit or not. These institutions are responsible for collecting and monitoring consumer and company credit data relevant to a person or company’s lending history and habits.

While lending companies have access to an individual’s credit record when they apply for credit, individuals are also able to access this crucial information.

Let’s have a look at various ways one could access their credit rating:

View your credit score with TransUnion

TransUnion (www.mytransunion.co.za) is a registered credit bureau with various products designed to help individuals with their credit information. These products include:

• Credit Report Plus Alerts & Score
• Credit Report & Score
• Anytime Credit Report
• Annual Credit Report

Credit4Life credit score

Credit4Life (www.credit4life.co.za) is another institution that is committed to empowering consumers. It is the largest 100% independently black-owned credit bureau in South Africa. It is a consumer division of XDS, a registered credit bureau.

By registering with Credit4Life, individuals are able to check if they have been a victim of identity theft. They are also able to change or challenge any incorrect information on their credit report. By subscribing for R99 per annum, consumers get a full year’s access to their credit information, while also benefitting from notifications when critical information on their credit report changes.

Established in 1999, with offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, XDS (www.xds.co.za) is a major provider of business and consumer data. With subsidiaries in Ghana and Nigeria, XDS continues to expand by providing quality services driven by state-of-the-art information technology and staff skills. The largest wholly South African-owned and registered credit bureau is 100% black-owned and is committed to constantly striving towards providing faster and smarter information solutions to credit granters and other data users.

View your Credit score with Experian

Experian (www.experian.co.za) is an institution that specialises in providing instant access to credit reports. It is a global leader in providing information solutions to organisations and consumers. Through its Credit Expert service, Experian allows consumers to check their credit report online, to ensure that it’s accurate. Consumers are also able to contact Experian by simply calling 0861 10 56 65 or by emailing consumer@experian.co.za.

Your Credit report with Credit Check

My Credit Check (www.mycreditcheck.co.za) is a reliable and trustworthy service established in 1994 as part of Compuscan (www.compuscan.co.za).  One of South Africa’s biggest credit bureaus, Compuscan provides individual and business solutions. By law, individuals are entitled to one free credit report a year. By registering on My CreditCheck, individuals are able to benefit from this service.

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