Know Your Rights: A Comprehensive Guide to Who Can Access Your Credit Report & CIBIL Score

You’ve heard the term “CIBIL Score” being tossed around quite often when talking about loans or credit cards. It’s about time you really got to grips with it. Especially, if you’re planning to apply for a loan or a credit card soon. Not only should you be aware of your own CIBIL Score, but you should also know who can access your credit report and score.

Most importantly, what are your rights? We’re about to untangle this complex web for you in this article.

Laws for Your Credit Report and Score

Let’s dive into the regulatory landscape first.

It’s the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act (CICRA), 2005, that oversees the access to your credit report and score.

What this implies is:

The Act paves the way for the establishment and functioning of Credit Information Companies (CICs).
It also governs how these CICs, including CIBIL, collect and maintain credit information.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has a key role as a regulatory authority, setting up guidelines for these CICs to follow.
These guidelines ensure that the credit information of individuals is treated with utmost confidentiality, accuracy, and fairness.

Who Holds Your Credit Information?

You’d want to know who all can legally check credit report and score that belongs to you.

Here’s a rundown:

Banks: If you’re applying for a loan, say a home loan for INR 50 lakhs, the lending institution would seek your credit report and CIBIL Score to assess your creditworthiness. So, it’s vital to keep your free CIBIL score and report in a healthy state.
Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs): When you’re planning to buy a car, and you approach an NBFC for a car loan. They would also scrutinise your credit report and score to determine if you’re a good bet.

Credit Information: Know Your Rights

Your credit information is a personal matter, and you have certain rights regarding it.

It’s like having a protective shield around you.

The Right to Privacy: Any entity can access your credit report only with your explicit permission or if they have a legitimate reason.
The Right to Access: You can access your and learn how to check correct cibil score anytime to check your credit standing. It helps in keeping a tab on your financial health.
The Right to Dispute: Errors on your credit report? You can challenge them! For instance, your CIBIL score details might indicate a loan that you have never taken. Raise a dispute and get it rectified.

How to Safeguard Your Credit Information?

So, here’s how you can keep your credit report and CIBIL score details safe:

Review Your Credit Report Regularly: Monitor your credit report regularly. Spot any discrepancies? Raise a dispute immediately.
Protect Your Personal Information: Keep your financial and personal information safe. Share your bank statements and avoid sharing your details over phone calls or emails.

Final Word

Safeguarding your credit information isn’t just about vigilance but also about knowledge. Recognising your rights and knowing who can legally access your credit report and CIBIL score details are the first steps towards guarding your financial footprint.

In this journey, remember that your credit information is your financial passport; keep it safe and accurate, and use it wisely for a secure financial future. To check your CIBIL, you can try the OneScore app.