If you’ve been ‘credit active‘ in the past seven years, you’ll have a credit file. Now, that doesn’t just mean those who have applied for loans, but anything that requires credit – even things like having an electricity or phone account in your name. It includes all the info on you that companies will want to see before they decide if they’re going to give you – or refuse you – credit.

On your credit file, you’ll see all the times you’ve applied for credit in the past five years, and importantly, detailed records of overdue accounts and other defaults that creditors have recorded against your name. DVDs and library books you haven’t returned can even end up on this file.

So, do you need a copy of your credit file – to know what your credit rating is like? Absolutely. This is the document banks and other companies will use before they decide to give you credit, and you should know if anything on that file – especially credit card fraud situations – are tarnishing your reputation as a borrower.

How do I Get This Credit File? Well, if you need it asap, it’ll set you back $32.95 but that means you’ll usually get it on the same working day. But if you’ve got ten working days to spare, you can see what the creditors see, free.

Simply write a letter or a fax, detailing;

- Your full name, date of birth, driver’s licence number and details, and a daytime telephone number

- Your current address, and your previous addresses

- Your current employer, or a previous employer

- Two different forms of ID, including one of the heavy-hitter IDs like a copy of your driver’s licence, passport or birth certificate … an then also a document issued by an official body with your name and address on it – a utility bill or bank statement is easiest.

- The name of the last company to which you applied for credit – most likely a phone company or credit card provider – you may need to have a bit of a think about this.

- Sign the letter or fax and tell them how you’d like to receive the return information (via mail, fax or email).

- Post your letter to Veda Advantage Public Access, PO Box 964 North Sydney NSW 2059, or fax it to (02) 9278 7333.

There’s plenty more information available on getting your credit file too – but don’t leave any blips on your record until it is too late.

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