A credit reporting body must take reasonable steps to ensure that the information on your credit report is accurate, up to date, complete and for the use and disclosure of that information, relevant.
If you’re concerned that the information on your credit report is incorrect, the first step is to request a free copy of your credit report from a credit reporting body to check its contents.
How to request a correction
To request a correction to the information on your credit report, contact the relevant credit provider in the first instance to enquire about the information in dispute.
Subject to the type of information, contacting the credit provider is the most efficient way to get a correction made.
You can also contact any credit reporting body and request they correct your credit-related personal information.
No wrong door approach
It doesn’t matter whether you make a request to correct the information on your credit report to a credit provider or to a credit reporting body, because if they can’t assist, they are required to consult with other credit providers or credit reporting bodies to complete your request.
How your request must be handled
If the credit provider or credit reporting body you asked to correct information is satisfied that the information is incorrect, then they must take reasonable steps to correct it within 30 days or such longer period agreed to by you. They must also send a written notice about the correction to you, and any parties they have disclosed the information to, within a reasonable period.
If the credit provider or credit reporting body isn’t satisfied the information is incorrect, then they must write to you to explain their reasons and let you know that you can access an external dispute resolution scheme or make a complaint.
Check your information has been updated
To check that your request to correct information has been completed, you should make a new request for a copy of your credit report.
Access seekers and correction requests
You can ask a third party to request corrections to information on your credit report on your behalf under the access seeker provisions in the credit reporting system.
Third parties may act on your behalf if you are experiencing domestic or family violence, or you are a victim of fraud or identity theft. You can ask financial counsellors and community lawyers to assist you in dealing with a credit provider or credit reporting body.
You will need to sign a written authority to give permission for a third party to act on your behalf. Credit reporting bodies and credit providers will recognise access seeker authorities.
Is there a charge?
No.
If you’re not happy with a credit provider or credit reporting body’s response, you can lodge a complaint
