WHAT IS A CREDIT FILE

Files are kept for people and businesses which have been credit-active during the past seven years.

Details include:

• the date credit was applied for
• if it was a personal or joint application or you acted as a guarantor
• from what body or institution
• the amount sought and
• the type and purpose of the credit sought.

It also includes information necessary to identify you as well as information of relevance for credit assessment purposes, such as:

• Personal details such as: name, residential addresses, date of birth, drivers licence number and current or previous employer
• Records of some current credit accounts
• Overdue Accounts (Defaults) which may have been listed against your name
• Bankruptcy Act Information
• Court Judgements and Writs & Summons>
• Public record information such as Directorships and Proprietor-ships.
• No credit provider is allowed to access a consumer credit file without the permission of the applicable individual.

Veda Advantage records information on credit files under the strict regulations of the Federal Privacy Act 1988.

HOW TO CHECK YOUR CREDIT FILE

A credit file is updated every time a person or commercial entity applies for new credit. The information contained in the file is easy to read. Importantly, the information is one of the factors that impacts on your credit-worthiness.

Banks, retailers and credit providers use the data, along with the information you provide to them, to determine whether to lend you money or not.

This makes it crucial for borrowers to keep a watching brief on their file. If there are any inaccuracies on a credit file, it may delay your application for credit while those inaccuracies are investigated and corrected. We therefore recommend that anyone applying for credit checks their credit file at least 30 days prior to making a credit application.

A simple way to obtain a copy of your personal file is by applying on-line. The cost is $27.00 (including GST).

A copy will be sent by email, post or fax within one working day of a request being received.

Free service

If you have a little more time to spare then choose our free service and a copy of your credit file will be dispatched to you within ten working days free of charge.

Please note that you may only request a copy of your own credit history. For security purposes, prior to receiving a credit file you will be asked to verify your identity. You can obtain more detailed information regarding the access and use of personal information on our privacy page.

Requests can be made by:

Mail:

Veda Advantage Public Access
PO Box 964
North Sydney NSW 2059

Fax: (02) 9951 7880

To obtain your file you will need to provide us with following:

• Your full name
• Your date of birth
• Your driver's licence number
• Your current residential address
• Your previous addresses
• Your current employer or a previous employer
• Name of the organisation to which you last applied for credit
• A daytime telephone number
• Your signature
• How you would like your file sent to you, via: Post, Fax or Email
• Note, please clearly state whether you are requesting a copy of My Credit File or My Insurance File.

This free service is for personal records only. You can also contact Veda Advantage by phone on 133124