Before answering, ‘How to view my credit score for free?’ let’s first clarify what a credit score is. A credit score is a numerical figure that relates to your creditworthiness and is calculated by credit reporting agencies. The higher your score is, the less risky you will appear to credit providers, so you have a better chance of getting approved for credit.
Your credit score ratings will be based on your credit report, which is a comprehensive summary of your information and credit history. This information is collected and stored by credit reporting agencies. Any incorrect data in your credit file may result in an inaccurate score, so regularly reviewing it is a must.
The first step in spotting any errors in your credit report is to secure a copy of your file. You’re eligible to receive your credit report from the three main credit reporting bodies in Australia: Equifax, Experian, and illion. Generally, you can make a free request once every three months.
Different organisations may have varying information about you, so requesting your report from each of them is advisable. To identify any errors in your report, thoroughly analyse every piece of information it contains and compare it with reports from other organisations.
Also, pay close attention to the sections where credit reporting agencies commonly make mistakes, such as your name, birthday, and address. Another common error is the potential duplication of debt listings, so check this part as well. In addition, make sure that the amount on each debt listed is correct.
When it comes to your credit or service provider, it’s possible that they may have reported inaccurate information to the reporting agency as well.
Verify whether a default or non-payment has been mistakenly recorded under your name. Generally, defaults are reported if the borrowed amount is $150 or more and the due date has surpassed sixty days.
Furthermore, they can report a default if they have been unsuccessful in contacting you. However, they are expected to notify you before reporting any default to the credit reporting organisation, so check your history with them.
But if you were in dispute regarding a default, you should not find it listed in your credit report. Moreover, if you have reached an agreement with the service or credit provider to establish a payment plan or modify the contract terms, this should be clearly stated in your file.
Another aspect to be vigilant about in your credit report is the presence of any accounts that may have been created by mistake. Such accounts could also be indicative of identity theft.
If you find any inaccuracies or errors in your report, immediately request a correction. Depending on which information must be corrected, you may contact the credit provider or the credit reporting agency directly. If any of them are unable to assist, they are obligated to consult with other relevant parties to fix your report.
If your request has been handled, you can ask for a free credit report to confirm the updates. It’s advisable that you take advantage of this to get an accurate result when learning about ‘How to view my credit score for free?’