Top 7 credit file myths busted

From credit reporting agencies and defaults through to the score on your credit file, we sort the facts from the fiction.

Unless you are really opposed to debt, you have most likely applied for a myriad of credit types, from home loans, car loans and personal loans through to credit cards, leases and interest-free deals . All of these enquiries will have affected your credit file.

Below, we have debunked a few common myths your credit score.

Credit reporting bodies are responsible for my credit being approved or declined

In Australia, there are two main credit reporting agencies – Veda (previously Baycorp) and Dun and Bradstreet. These bodies maintain a database of credit-related information on individuals in Australia. Although they give a score to individuals, they not able to provide recommendations. They provide reports on your history and the lender makes a judgement about what it contains. Being approved or declined is up to the lender.

If your loan is already with homeloans.com.au, we may be able to get an RP Data report on your property, which will give an estimate of its value. Call our Lending Specialists on 1800 111 001 to discuss this option.

Checking my credit file too often will affect my score

You are able to look at your credit file as often as you like. It is actually recommended that you periodically review your credit file so you know what it contains and whether there are any errors or new listings. To get a free copy of your credit file, visit mycreditfile.com.au.

The more credit I have applied for, the better my score

If a lender makes an enquiry about your credit file, it will be noted on your credit file regardless of whether you obtained the loan or not. Too many enquiries can have a negative impact on your credit score. If you have a number of credit enquiries from a variety of different lenders in a short time frame, it may look like you are stretching yourself financially or that you were unable to successfully acquire credit. Lenders are very cautious when they see a large number of credit enquiries.

Giving a lender permission to check your file should be only be done if you have completed all your research and are ready to apply. Having a casual chat to a car salesperson should not warrant a check, so always take care when you are chatting to providers about finance.

I don’t need to check my credt score if I meet my repayments

You may think that you do not need to keep an eye on your credit file if you always meet repayments. However, mistakes can be made, and defaults can be listed without you knowing it. Moving house can be a prime time for credit providers losing track of you and not be able to notify you of an outstanding bill. Checking your credit file at regular intervals can alert you to listings like this that you can remedy straight away rather than finding out years later when you apply for credit.

My score will be better if I have more loans

Your credit file will list your current commitments. While having a credit history can help show a lender that you make repayments on time, having lots of commitments without many assets to show for it could have the opposite effect. Lenders need to see that you will have enough money spare to meet repayments, so this will impact how much you may be able to borrow.

Before you apply for a new credit card, loan or interest-free deal, it is important to reduce your current debt as much as possible. If you pay off as many credit cards and loans as you can, particularly the ones with a high interest rate, not only will you have more money to spare, but it will provide the lender with a strong repayment history.

Defaults on my credit file mean I can’t apply for loans

Many people with bad credit can be reluctant to apply for a home loan or other credit because they have been previously declined and told that they can’t get a loan. However, there are viable options to consider for people who want to get on with their life.

Lenders like homeloans.com.au have a range of home loans specifically designed for borrowers who have a bad credit history. It is well worth chatting about your options so you know where you stand. This can be done by calling our Lending Specialists on 1800 111 001 or sending us a message.

I can’t get an idea about how much I can borrow without submitting an application

There are lots of calculators online that will give you a good idea of how much you may be able to borrow. If you are looking for a quick indication, that doesn’t involve a credit enquiry, click here. Follow this up with a chat with our Lending Specialists, who can run through all the relevant questions over the phone, do a more thorough calculation, and advise you on your maximum borrowing limit. Verifying your information, supplying documents like payslips, and allowing the lender to conduct a credit enquiry will happen when you actually apply. Having your application formally approved is the final step.

The opinions expressed in this article are the opinions of the author(s) and not necessarily those of homeloans.com.au. The above is general commentary only and is not advice tailored to any individual's financial situation. We recommend seeking advice from a finance professional before implementing changes relating to your finances.