Check your credit history

Banks have access to your credit payment history. They use the information to assess your creditworthiness - whether you are able to repay your loans or clear your monthly card balance.

You can also obtain your own report electronically, as reported in Sunday Times today.

First, a quick note on the Credit Bureau Singapore (CBS). It maintains credit data (credit payment records) of bank customers in Singapore. Such data is submitted by participating financial institutions to the CBS, which include all the major retail banks here - ABN AMRO, American Express, Bank of China, CitiBank, DBS, HSBC, MayBank, OCBC, RHB Bank, Standard Chartered, and UOB.

And these participating banks can request for your credit data from CBS.

You, too, can obtain your own credit report. It costs you $5 + GST. Here's how:

- Go to this page in CBS' website.
- Click on the "Click here!" button on that page.
- You will be directed to the SingPass login page. (If you do not yet have a SingPass, you can make an online request for it. With SingPass, you can access CPF and IRAS information electronically, among others.)
- Login with your SingPass ID and password.
- Fill up your personal details. Include an email address if you wish to receive a copy of your credit report via email as well.
- Click on the "I Agree" radio button and click "Submit".
- Follow on-screen instructions to pay the fee via eNets. (Currently, you can only pay by credit card.)

After your report is displayed on page, you can choose to print it or save it (in PDF format). If you have given an email address earlier, a PDF copy will also be sent to that email address.

There is also a link directing you to a PDF page on "Understanding your credit report". Make sure you save a copy of this as well.

Information on your credit report includes:

- Account status history. This shows all the credit card and loan accounts that you have, along with a rolling 12-month status history. To understand the codes used in the history, refer to the "Understanding your credit report" document. For example, the code "A" indicates that your payment for that month was ok (up to 29 days past due).
- Previous enquiries. This section tells you who else have obtained your credit report. These are typically banks which have dealings with you.
- Default payments. If you have defaulted on any payment (i.e. you have not paid up), it will be recorded here for 6 years.
- Bankruptcy proceedings. All public bankruptcy records, if any, will be displayed here, until 6 years from the date of bankruptcy discharge.

If you have maintained good credit history (paid up everything on time), you have nothing to worry about.

http://www.salary.sg/2007/check-your-credit-history/

What if the participating Bank provided wrong info. And as a result your credit card/loan application is rejected due to wrong Info.

What can I do.

John, from what I read in the FAQ (URL below), you can "dispute any information that you feel is inaccurate". Maybe you can call up the credit bureau at 6565 6363 and ask.
http://www.creditbureau.com.sg/FAQ3.htm
http://www.creditbureau.com.sg/ContactUsCBS.htm

Good Morning, I have done that and CBS have ammended. However in the process I have been turned down by 10 banks so far for credit cards and loan applications.
Secondly, there is also record on How many aplications vs approved. Therefore mine has 14 applications but 4 approved. This goes to show that Banks dont want to approve.
I also found out that There are many who are unaware of their credit status. Thus if you are unsucessful with an application. It could be the CBS report. "Wrong Data uploaded"
Can I seek damages from the Bank for damaging my credit reputation?

John, I'm afraid I'm unable to advise on that.

Hi, I've a record in the report but amount was fully paid in Apr 2007. Does it means that it will remain there for a period of 3 yrs ? I've read through the FAQ but could not apprehend what they meant. PLs advise.

Thank you.

does it mean that anyone who knows your singpass or identity card number will be able to run a credit report?

For $5 plus GST.......pretty expensive. Should be FOC