Can you see who’s viewed your credit report?

You probably know that you can view your own credit report by contacting one of the credit bureaus or signing up to an intermediary platform, such as CreditSav.

But what if a third party attempts to gain access? We have a look at whether you’re able to see who has requested your credit report, and how - or whether - access has been achieved.

Tip: Would you like to know more about CreditSav? It’s free - you can find out more here. 

Can you see who’s looked at your credit report? 

Sameer Kumandan, managing director of SearchWorks, confirms that you can see who has viewed your credit report.

“The details of your enquiry history are available on your credit report, and it’s known as your credit ‘footprint’,” says Kumandan.

However, he explains that there’s a limitation to this, as you can only view enquiries that were done at the bureau you’re working through. This is because bureaus don’t cross-populate their data.

For example, if you look at your credit report through TransUnion, your enquiries may appear clear. But, if someone requests your report through Experian, this information wouldn’t be available at TransUnion. 

If you’re working through an intermediary, you should find out which bureau provides their information, for this reason.

“Certain companies are also allowed to execute a credit check without leaving a footprint, in terms of the law or for special purposes,” says Kumandan.

READ MORE: Do this if your credit score is negatively impacted by creditor error

How do they gain access to your credit report? 

Kumandan says that any individual can obtain your credit report through vendor software. However, they need to obtain written consent before making an official enquiry.  

“You usually provide consent through a written agreement, which is drafted by the organisation making the enquiry, such as an estate agency, attorney firm, or another business. Consent is key, and your report cannot be accessed without this,” says Kumandan.

He explains that if someone accesses your credit report without your consent – or a valid reason, as per the National Credit Act – they can be reported for fraud.  

The National Credit Act lists the following reasons underwhich your credit report may be accessed:

1. An investigation into fraud, corruption, or theft, conducted by the South African Police Service, or any other statutory enforcement agency.
2. Fraud detection and fraud prevention.
3. Considering a candidate for employment in a position that requires trust and honesty, and entails the handling of cash or finances, and the prior consent of the consumer has been obtained.
4. An assessment of the debtor’s book of a business for the purposes of the sale of the business or any other transaction that is dependent upon determining the value of the business.
5. Setting a limit of service provision in respect of any continuous service, and the prior consent of the consumer has been obtained.
6. Assessing an application for insurance, and the prior consent of the consumer has been obtained.
7. Verifying qualifications and employment, and the prior consent of the consumer has been obtained.
8. Obtaining consumer information to distribute unclaimed funds, including pension funds and insurance claims.
9. Tracing of a consumer by a credit provider in respect of a credit agreement entered into between the consumer and the credit provider.
10. Development of a credit scoring system by a credit provider or credit bureau.

“If you have not provided consent to a person or organisation who viewed your credit report, and the above list doesn’t apply, you should immediately lodge a complaint with the respective credit bureaus, who will contact the parties involved,” says Kumandan.

He also recommends that you always check which consents you are allowing when signing agreements.

You can view your credit report through CreditSav and find out who’s looked at your report.