WHY YOUR CREDIT REPORT IS SO IMPORTANT

Your credit report is the key to getting a loan or credit card. Here is what you should know about your credit report and how to keep it clean.

What is a credit report?

Your credit report is a file maintained by a credit reporting agency which contains details of your borrowing and payment history. Banks and credit card issuers check your file when they work out whether or not to lend to you or issue you a credit card. There are strict laws governing the operation of credit databases.

So what goes in my file?

Your credit report includes information that helps identify you:

• name and any known aliases
  
• gender
  
• date of birth
  
• addresses (current and last known and two immediately previous addresses)
  
• current or last known employer
  
• driver's licence number
  

Your file cannot include any information about your race or ethnic origin, political, social or religious beliefs or memberships; any criminal record; your medical history or physical handicaps; sexual preferences or practices; or lifestyle,