A credit score is a three-digit figure used by lenders and other financial institutions to determine one’s creditworthiness when they apply for a loan. With a good credit score, you’re likely to get the best loan deal with favorable interest. To maintain a good credit score, you need to analyze your credit report regularly, so that you know what you should do to improve your credit score. There are different measures you can take to access your credit score explained in detail in this post.
How Do I Check My Credit Score Without Signing Up in South Africa?
All credit bureaus and other financial institutions offer free credit reports and credit scores on their websites. In most cases, you need to create a profile and log into your account on several websites to access your free credit score and credit report. However, other options allow you to check your credit score without signing up in South Africa.
To check your score without signing, you need to visit the site of your chosen data credit agency and navigate to the section where you can get your payment history or score. Follow the prompts that appear on the site and provide your personal information. You need to verify your identity, and this may require you to provide your proof of address, ID number, and other relevant information. Upon verification of your identity, you can access your payment history, and your report will be displayed on the website. Carefully review the report to ensure that it is error-free. If you identify errors in your report, make sure you immediately dispute them with your agency.
Alternatively, TransUnion allows clients to access credit reports by dialing *120*8801# using the number that is linked to their account. You need to provide your ID number to verify your identity then follow the prompts that appear on your mobile phone. Once you obtain your credit score, you can see your debt and know where to improve it.
You can also check all the companies that have checked your credit report. If your report has judgments, your loan application is likely to be declined. Therefore, accessing your credit report helps you identify the areas that need improvement to maintain a good credit score.
How Can I Check My Credit Score for Free in South Africa?
All credit bureaus and other financial institutions like banks in South Africa provide free credit reports and credit scores. This means you can get four free reports from the credit bureaus in South Africa. You can also get another free credit score from your bank.
Credit bureaus have online portals that can be used by citizens to check their reports. When you visit the website of your preferred data agency, log into your profile and navigate to the section where you can access your payment history. Once you access your credit report, you can check everything to ensure that you maintain a good credit score.
How to Check if You Are Blacklisted in South Africa for Free?
People who fail to fulfill their credit obligations often find themselves being blacklisted by credit bureaus. If you fail to pay the lender, you will be reported to credit bureaus, and your name will be flagged and blacklisted. Once you are blacklisted, it shows that you have a poor payment history and you pose a high risk to financial companies. As a result, you’ll not be able to get a loan or any line of credit from different lenders. In some cases, you may be blacklisted without your knowledge. Therefore, it is imperative to check your credit score regularly to ensure that you know everything taking place on your account.
To check if you have been blacklisted, you can obtain a free credit report from any credit bureau in South Africa. Review your report for negative things that have led to your current status. Check items like defaults, unpaid debts, judgments against you, late payments, and unpaid debts.
You can also approach regulatory bodies or other authority industries to find out if you have been blacklisted. In some cases, you may be blacklisted over simple issues. When you consult these authorities, they will advise you on what could have contributed to you being blacklisted.
Whilst it is disappointing to be blacklisted, it does not necessarily mean that you are completely blocked from obtaining funds. It might be difficult for you to access loans with favorable terms, but you can still get credit. No matter your credit status, you can get payday loans and other personal loans as long as you can prove that you can repay the money.
What Is the Best Site to Check Your Credit Score?
Depending on your preference, there are several sites where you can check your credit score. All credit bureaus have platforms where you can check your credit score for free. Choosing a site to check your credit score is a matter of personal preference because you can access it for free across several platforms.
Checking your credit report helps you maintain a healthy credit score. Lenders often prefer dealing with people who have good credit scores. Therefore you must check your credit score regularly to be in control of your credit history. You can do this for free in South Africa, and you may not need to sign up. These tips can go a long way in helping you access a free credit report and credit score.