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What Is A Credit Bureau

Legal Aid South AfricaRef: https://legal-aid.co.za/2018/09/26/what-is-a-credit-bureau/

Official source

Source domain: legal-aid.co.za

Collected on 17 June 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

What this means

The document explains what a credit bureau is, how it collects and uses credit information, and the role and responsibilities of credit bureaus under the National Credit Act. It covers how credit records are created, what information they contain, and how the information may be used by lenders, employers, and investigators. It also outlines consumer rights and protections related to credit bureaus, including notification prior to reporting negative information and obtaining a copy of one's credit record.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

credit record disputeOngoing

Correction of credit record

If you disagree with information in your credit record, you can submit a dispute to have it corrected. The correction must be made within 30 days of filing, and you can get additional free copies to verify the changes.

Who it is for: any consumer in South Africa with inaccurate credit information
How to act on it: Contact the credit bureau to request a dispute form, complete it with your ID and supporting documents, and return it to the bureau

Show the line this came from

If you disagree with your credit record, you must send in the corrections within 30 days. Thereafter you can get additional free copies of your record to check the corrections have been done.

Facts

Reference

https://legal-aid.co.za/2018/09/26/what-is-a-credit-bureau/

Key Takeaways

subject: credit bureau
reference: National Credit Act
regulator: National Credit Regulator
responsibilities: file and maintain credit information, ensure accuracy, preserve prescribed retention, provide reports on request, process corrections without charge, avoid unfounded negative judgments
uses: determine loan eligibility, investigate fraud/theft, consider employment requiring trust
rights: notification 20 working days before negative reporting, right to obtain a copy of credit record
location: South Africa
audience: consumers seeking information on credit bureaus