Your credit report is the record lenders look at before they decide whether to lend to you. You are entitled to see it for free, and errors on it are more common than most people expect.
Here is how to get your free credit report from each major bureau, and what to look for when it arrives.
Where can you get a free credit report?
A credit bureau collects information from lenders and sells it to businesses that need to assess you. You are entitled to one free report a year from each registered bureau. These are the three main routes:
| Bureau | Where to get your free report |
|---|---|
| TransUnion | On the TransUnion South Africa website, under free credit report |
| Experian | On Up, powered by Experian, a free report and score for South African ID holders |
| XDS | On Splendi, through the XDS website |
Other registered bureaus exist, and the National Credit Regulator lists them on its register of credit bureaus. Because bureaus hold slightly different data, request from more than one.
How do you request your free credit report?
- Open the bureau’s own website, not a link from an advert or a message.
- Have your South African ID number and a working email address ready.
- Confirm your identity as asked. This may include questions about your accounts.
- Save the report somewhere safe. It contains personal information.
Viewing your report is free. Some platforms charge for extras, such as a downloadable copy, so check what is free before you pay for anything.
How do you spot a fake “free credit report” site?
Scammers use the phrase to collect personal details. Walk away if a site:
- Asks for your card details to “verify” you.
- Signs you up for a subscription by default.
- Asks for your banking PIN or password.
- Is not the website of a bureau you recognise.
If you are asked to pay for the free yearly report itself, you are on the wrong site.
What is the difference between a report and a score?
| Item | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Credit report | Your accounts, payment history, enquiries and negative listings |
| Credit score | A number that summarises the report, and differs by bureau |
The free yearly report is your legal right. A score may be free, paid or built into an app. See how to check your credit score.
What should you check in your free credit report?
- Personal details. Name, ID number, addresses and employer. Wrong details can mix your record with someone else’s.
- Accounts you recognise. Balance, limit and status should be right.
- Accounts you do not recognise. These can signal an error or identity fraud.
- Payment history. Look for late payments you believe were made on time.
- Defaults and adverse listings. Check dates and amounts. See removing a default.
- Debt review flag. It should appear only if you are under debt review.
- Enquiries. Which businesses checked your record, and when.
What if you find a mistake?
Do not ignore it. Contact the bureau and the credit provider in writing, explain what is wrong and attach proof. TransUnion says it responds to a dispute within 21 working days.
If you do not get a fair answer, the Credit Ombud can help for free. Our guide to a credit report dispute lists the steps.
How often should you check your free credit report?
At least once a year, and always before you apply for a big loan, such as a home loan or vehicle finance. Because you get one free report per bureau, you can spread requests across the year.
Checking your own report is a consumer enquiry. It does not count against you the way a lender’s enquiry can.
How do you read a free credit report in 15 minutes?
A report can look dense. Take it in short passes, with a pen or a highlighter:
| Minutes | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Check your name, ID number and addresses |
| 4 to 8 | Go through every account and tick the ones you recognise |
| 9 to 12 | Read the payment history on any account that shows late payments |
| 13 to 15 | Check the enquiries and any adverse listings |
Mark anything you cannot explain. Most reports have a key that explains the symbols used in the payment history, usually one for each month. Read the key first, because the same symbol can mean different things in different bureaus.
Why can two bureaus show different information?
Each bureau builds your record from the lenders that report to it. Not every lender reports to every bureau, and they do not all report on the same day. So a free credit report from TransUnion may show an account that Experian’s does not.
Here is a hypothetical example. A store account is reported only to one bureau. The report from the other shows nothing for it. Both are accurate for the data each bureau holds, which is why requesting more than one gives a fuller picture.
If an error appears on one report, check the others before you dispute it. The same wrong entry often shows up in several places.
When should you request your free credit report before a big purchase?
Do not wait until the application. Fixing a mistake takes weeks, and you want the corrected report in hand when the lender asks.
| Plan | Check your report |
|---|---|
| Home loan | 6 months before you apply |
| Vehicle finance | 3 months before you apply |
| A new phone contract or store account | 1 month before |
| No plan | Once a year, as a habit |
Use the first request to find problems and the second, a few weeks before applying, to confirm that corrections went through. Because you get one free report per bureau every 12 months, you can space the requests across several bureaus.
How do you protect your details after you have your report?
A report holds your ID number, addresses and account details, which is exactly what fraudsters need. Treat the file like a bank statement:
- Save it in a protected folder, and delete the email it came in.
- Do not forward it or upload it to a site that is not a lender you have verified.
- Consider free Protective Registration with the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service if your ID has been lost, stolen or shared with a stranger.
- Check your report again if you get a call about an account you did not open.
If you see an account that is not yours, treat it as possible identity theft and follow the steps in our credit report dispute guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is a credit report the same as a credit score?
No. The report lists your history. The score summarises it. They come from the same data.
Does checking my own report lower my score?
No. A request you make yourself is not treated as a lender enquiry.
Do I pay to see my report more than once a year?
The free right covers one report per bureau every 12 months. Extra reports may cost a fee, though some bureaus offer more free access through their own apps.
Who else can see my report?
Only businesses with a permitted reason, such as a lender assessing an application, and you.
How long does it take to get a free credit report?
Online requests are often answered within minutes, but some need extra identity checks. Allow a day or two.
Should I keep a copy of my free credit report?
Keep one copy in a safe place so you can compare it with the next one. Delete extra copies.
One free 5-minute form is sent to NCR-registered lenders. Each lender decides for itself and shows you the full cost before you sign.
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