Your credit record may be more important than you think. Information about your history regarding credit, debt, and repayment is being updated all the time and could have a big impact on you.
Bad credit ratings happen to people in all walks of life. Missing a few payments on the house, car, power or phone bills can stop you moving ahead financially. A bad credit record can not only affect your ability to borrow money again, it can even make it hard to sign up for phone or power services.
A credit reporting agency is allowed to disclose your credit report to debt collection agencies, people involved in court proceedings against you, and certain government agencies, without requiring your consent.
The good news is that there are ways to recover from a rough financial patch. Bad credit cannot be undone but with comprehensive credit reporting, borrowers can see if you’re on top of your commitments again even if you’ve been through some difficulties in the past.
If you have been through some financial hardship which is impacted on your credit record, there are some tips to help get your financial situation back in control:
Keep track of your payments.
Only apply for credit when you really need it.
Pay off any defaults, and
Work with your creditors.
If you can show that you have arrangements with your previous creditors and are keeping to them, it will help other credit agencies look more favourably on your situation.
Everyone ought to check their credit files regularly, especially if you’re considering looking for credit. There are three credit reporting companies in New Zealand so if you want to check your record, you need to contact them all. And remember, you are entitled to free access to your own information.
