What is on a credit record

Your credit record includes all the times you’ve been given credit by a bank or company and whether you paid it off in time.

You’ve had credit if you’ve ever:

• had a loan
• asked your bank for an overdraft
• used a credit card to buy something
• needed a payday advance
• bought something on hire purchase — including interest-free deals from stores.

Check your own credit record

About your credit record

Information about your repayment history can be kept on your credit record for up to 2 years.

If you have unpaid debt where the lender tried to recover the money you owed them, this can appear on your credit record for up to 5 years — even if you’ve already paid off the debt in full.

More about your credit history and record

Who can check your credit record

Lenders check your credit record to decide whether to lend you money. Landlords, insurers or employers might also check your credit record.

A credit reporting agency is allowed to disclose your credit record to debt collectors, people involved in court proceedings against you, and certain government agencies, without requiring your consent.

Other individuals and organisations can only access your credit record if you give them permission to do so.

Your rights

You have the right to:

• ask for a copy of your own credit record
• check and correct information on your record that’s wrong
• ask that your credit file is "frozen" and not released to anyone without your permission
• complain to the credit reporting company.

Credit Reporting Privacy Code 2020 – Summary of Rights