A credit report can look intimidating, but it follows a predictable structure. Once you know what each section contains, it becomes much easier to spot information that looks wrong or out of date.
1. Personal information
This section lists your name, date of birth, PAN, addresses, phone numbers and sometimes employment details. Check spellings, your date of birth and whether every address and phone number genuinely belongs to you. Unfamiliar details can be a sign of a mix-up with another person's records.
2. Account information
Every loan and credit card reported against your name appears here, usually with the lender's name, account type, date opened, sanctioned amount or credit limit, current balance and status.
- Is every account yours?
- Do closed loans show as closed, with a closing date?
- Are balances and overdue amounts reasonable for the reporting date?
- Is any account shown twice?
3. Payment history
Most reports show a month-by-month grid for each account. On-time payments are typically shown as '000' or 'STD', while numbers such as 030 or 060 indicate the number of days a payment was past due. Compare any delay markers against your own bank statements and EMI receipts.
4. Enquiries
Each time a lender checks your report because you applied for credit, an enquiry is recorded. Several enquiries in a short time can suggest credit hunger to a lender. Checking your own report is a separate 'soft' check and does not count against you.
5. Score and summary
The score is calculated by the bureau from the information above. If the underlying information is wrong, the score may be affected too, which is why reviewing the detail matters more than the number alone.
What to do next
Make a note of any entry that looks incorrect and gather supporting documents such as closure letters, NOCs and payment proofs. Only inaccurate, incomplete or outdated information can be disputed; accurate information remains on the report.
This article is general information, not personalised financial or legal advice.