Why You Should be Checking Your Credit Report

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Looking to Apply for an Online Loan?

Before applying for an online loan, be sure to check your credit report as this will impact your ability to get a loan, and the interest rate you’re offered. More and more people are applying for loans online today, but every time they do so their credit report is impacted. Most people don’t realise this! Read on to find out why it’s important to know what’s in your credit report and be selective as to who you apply for a loan with.

What's in your credit report?

If you don’t know, you should be finding out. Fortunately, you can check your credit information for free. If you need the information in a hurry, however, you’ll have to pay for a report.

Your credit report contains important financial information pertaining to your past repayment of loans. It assembles information from banks, collection agencies, credit card companies, electricity and internet providers, government programs and other sources to create a portrait of your creditworthiness.

Future lenders and credit agencies use these reports to determine your ability to repay potential future loans. Continue reading to learn more about requesting your credit report and why checking it regularly will help anyone seeking Personal Loans.

Your credit report includes your payment history for: Car finances, Credit cards, Hire purchases and Mortgages.

Your payment history for other bills like electricity, gas, and internet accounts may also appear in your report.

It also includes the number of times you applied for credit, which can also impact your credit score. Here is an example of what a credit report looks like – example credit report.

How to Check Your Credit Report

How to Check Your Credit Report Your credit information can affect how companies treat you, such as when applying for loans or insurance. You can prepare for your upcoming credit applications by requesting your credit report, so you’ll have a better idea what to expect.

Credit reports are processed by three separate reporting agencies in New Zealand:

Could there be mistakes on your credit report?

In short, yes. Occasionally, inaccurate or incomplete information finds its way into your credit report. This could unnecessarily hurt your chances of getting approved for a personal loan or securing a lower interest rate.

Even if you do have bad credit history, you should check your credit report for incorrect information, such as:

  • Credit applications you never made.
  • Payment defaults you were unaware of.
  • Credit enquiries that have not been approved.

Fortunately, it is possible to have information in your credit report corrected when necessary. Each of the three NZ reporting agencies have their own procedures to process requests for corrections.

How to Check Your Credit Report

You have the right to seek corrections of credit information. Reporting agencies work with credit providers and others to assist you, so you should make necessary corrections before seeking new credit.

Almost all information on your credit report will age out of the report after five years (for example, defaults age out of your report after five years, missed repayments after two), so any inaccuracies you discover in yours should be fairly recent.

Each of New Zealand’s three reporting agencies issue their own unique reports, so an inaccuracy in one may not appear in the others. However, it’s wise to request your report from each of them to check for inaccuracies. You will typically be the only one who could spot an issue. You can request your credit report from each reporting agency for free once every year.

Each agency has their own process for processing disputes. If you find an issue, you can visit their website or contact them directly for instructions on how to proceed.

Give your credit a boost with Loansmart!

Did you know that applying for many loans can negatively impact your credit score? Which is why you need to be really careful as to which loan company you choose. Loansmart provides more options for more chances of our success! Our Online Loans are quick and easy to apply for.  

If your credit score is low and you have upcoming credit you know you’ll need to apply for, consider a bad credit loan from Loansmart!

We offer short term loans and same day loans with affordable rates and fees, so you can improve your credit report by meeting your payments on time. Set yourself up for success with a low cost loan online from Loansmart. 

Click the button below to view our lending criteria and apply online today.