Credit score

How to check your credit score

You can see your credit score without paying a cent. Here are the steps for each bureau, what you need and what the free apps show.

See the steps

Written by LM editorial teamLast reviewed 1 October 2026

Short answer

Register on each credit bureau's free consumer service: myTransUnion, Experian's Up and XDS's Splendi. Have your ID number ready, and proof of residence for Experian.

What you need before you start

Each bureau holds its own record, so check all three. A listing may show at one bureau and not at another.

Have these ready:

Your ID: Experian's Up asks for a valid South African ID.
Proof of residence: Experian wants one no older than 3 months.
Copies for TransUnion: for phone requests and disputes, it asks for a verified ID copy and proof of residence.
Time to verify: XDS confirms who you are before it gives you access.

Check your score at each bureau

TransUnion online: open the myTransUnion consumer portal from transunion.co.za. Choose the free annual credit report.
TransUnion by phone: call 0861 482 482 and select option 1.
Experian: go to Up by Experian and register. Upload your ID and proof of residence.
XDS: register on Splendi, the XDS consumer service. You can also call XDS on 0860 937 000.
Read the score and the report behind it. Note anything you don't recognise.
Dispute any errors with that bureau. Our free credit report guide shows how.

Credit bureau contact details

Bureau	How to get your free report	Contact as published
TransUnion	Request your free annual credit report on the myTransUnion portal	Call centre 0861 482 482 (option 1). WhatsApp +27861482482. Walk-in: Ground Floor, 11 Alice Lane, Sandton.
Experian (includes former Compuscan)	Register on Up and upload your ID and proof of residence	WhatsApp +27791274906, or chat to Ed on Up. No walk-in consumer enquiries at Experian offices.
XDS	Register on Splendi, or ask XDS by phone or email	0860 937 000. Email informationofficer@xds.co.za.

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

Free credit score apps and what they show

Up by Experian. Experian says Up gives free, unlimited access to your Experian report and score.

Experian also says it does not penalise you for checking your own score or report.

Splendi. XDS says you can view your XDS report as often as you like once registered.

ClearScore. ClearScore is not a credit bureau. It says it gives you free access to your Experian data.

ClearScore uses its own scale. In August 2026 it moved to a top score of 740, using Experian's new Sigma model.

So a ClearScore number won't match a TransUnion score out of 999. Track one source over time instead.

What to do with your score

TransUnion's bands run from Poor (0 to 486) to Excellent (767 to 999). See all seven on our credit score page.

A score is a snapshot. It moves as lenders report new payments and as old items expire.

Low score? Start with the report, not the number. Look for errors and for items past their legal time limits.

Don't pay anyone just to see your score. Each bureau offers a free option.

How to check your credit score: frequently asked questions

How can I check my credit score for free?

Register on myTransUnion, Experian's Up or XDS's Splendi. Each offers a free way to see your record. You need your ID number to register.

How do I check my TransUnion credit score?

Use the myTransUnion portal on transunion.co.za. You can also call 0861 482 482 and choose option 1 for your free annual report. TransUnion's score runs from 0 to 999.

Does checking my credit score affect it?

Experian says it does not penalise you for checking your own score or report. A check by a lender is different. It is recorded as an enquiry, which can stay on your record for 1 year.

Is Compuscan still a credit bureau?

Compuscan is now part of Experian. Experian completed the purchase in May 2019. For a consumer report, use Experian's own channels, such as Up.

Why does ClearScore show a different score?

ClearScore shows your Experian data on its own scale, which tops out at 740. TransUnion and Experian's Up use a range of 0 to 999. Scores on different scales can't be compared directly.