Credit score

Your free credit report in South Africa

The law gives you a free look at your credit record every year. Here is how to ask each bureau, what the report shows and how to fix mistakes.

How to ask for yours
Written by LM editorial teamLast reviewed

Short answer

Section 72(1)(b) of the National Credit Act gives you one free inspection a year at each credit bureau. Request it through each bureau's consumer service, and dispute any errors at no cost.

Your legal right to a free report

The National Credit Act gives every person the right to inspect their credit bureau file.

Section 72(1)(b) says this is without charge, as of right, once within any 12 months.

The right covers any credit bureau. So you can get a free report from TransUnion, Experian and XDS every year.

At other times, a bureau may charge an inspection fee. Experian and XDS currently offer unlimited free access through their apps.

Section 72(1)(c) also lets you challenge the accuracy of anything a bureau holds about you.

How to request your free report from each bureau

Each bureau keeps a separate file, so ask all three. Compuscan is now part of Experian, after a 2019 purchase.

BureauHow to get your free reportContact as published
TransUnionAsk for your free annual credit report on the myTransUnion portal, or call and choose option 10861 482 482. WhatsApp +27861482482. Email SA_WebAdmin@transunion.com.
ExperianRegister on Up and upload your ID and proof of residence (not older than 3 months)up.experian.co.za. WhatsApp +27791274906.
XDSRegister on Splendi, or call or email XDS0860 937 000. Email informationofficer@xds.co.za. Disputes: dispute@xds.co.za.

Contact details as published on each bureau's own website, checked October 2026.

What is in your credit report

Layouts differ by bureau. Based on what the bureaus and regulation 17 describe, expect these parts:

  • Personal details: your name, ID number, address and employer.
  • Accounts: the credit you hold, which Experian calls your credit portfolio.
  • Payment profile: whether you pay on time. It can be shown for up to 5 years.
  • Enquiries: who has checked your record. These are kept for 1 year.
  • Negative information: notices, defaults, judgments and debt collections.
  • Court orders: administration and sequestration orders.
  • Debt review flag: a debt restructuring order, shown until a clearance certificate is issued.

TransUnion says a report does not hold data such as race, religious beliefs, political affiliations or medical histories.

How to read your credit report

  • Check your personal details first. Wrong details may mean records have been mixed up.
  • Go through every account. Flag any account you never opened.
  • Compare balances and payment dates with your own statements.
  • Note the date of each negative item. Compare it with the legal time limits.
  • Check debts you have paid off. Section 71A says paid-up adverse listings must come off within set time limits.
  • Look for a debt review flag you never applied for. TransUnion lists this as a valid reason to dispute.

How to dispute an error

  1. Gather proof, such as a paid-up letter, a statement or a court order.
  2. Log the dispute with the bureau that shows the error. TransUnion and Experian take disputes on their portals.
  3. XDS takes disputes through its online form or at dispute@xds.co.za.
  4. Include your ID and proof of address. TransUnion and Experian both ask for these.
  5. Wait for the result. TransUnion, Experian and XDS each say a dispute takes up to 20 business days.
  6. The bureau must look for credible evidence. If it finds none, section 72(3) says it must remove the information.
  7. Experian says the item must be updated or removed in your favour if the lender doesn't respond in time.
  8. Disagree with the evidence you get? Within 20 business days you can ask the NCR to investigate it (section 72(4)).
  9. You can also contact the free National Financial Ombud on 0860 800 900.

Experian says logging a dispute is free of charge. Keep copies of what you send and your reference number.

Your free credit report in South Africa: frequently asked questions

Is a credit report free in South Africa?

Yes, once a year from each bureau. Section 72(1)(b) of the National Credit Act gives you a free inspection once within any 12 months. Experian and XDS also offer unlimited free access on their apps.

How often can I get a free credit report?

The law guarantees one free report every 12 months from each bureau. A bureau may charge for extra reports. Experian's Up and XDS's Splendi currently let you check as often as you like.

How long does a credit report dispute take?

TransUnion, Experian and XDS each say up to 20 business days. If the bureau finds no credible evidence, it must remove the item.

Who can help if the bureau won't fix an error?

Within 20 business days of getting the bureau's evidence, you can ask the NCR to investigate. Its call centre is 0860 627 627. The National Financial Ombud also helps free of charge on 0860 800 900.

Will debt review show on my credit report?

Yes. Regulation 17 lets a bureau show a debt restructuring order until a clearance certificate is issued. Your debt counsellor must then file the certificate with every registered bureau within 7 days.

Related pages and sources

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