COVID-19 & Credit

COVID-19 & Credit

Now more than ever, your financial decisions matter. Don’t know where to start? We’re here to help.

Help to navigate financially in a global pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought much uncertainty to our daily lives. It has changed the way we work, go to school and socialise. The health of our families and communities are a priority for Equifax, as well as helping consumers understand and manage their credit profiles during this time. For many people COVID-19 has meant a change to their employment, income or business and this has put pressure on the ability to make ends meet and repay financial commitments.

At Equifax, we have data and information that can help. Here are some answers to commonly asked questions:

The first thing you should do is to contact your lender and find out what your options are. Many lenders have hardship provisions in place and are offering ‘payment deferrals’ for periods of up to six months. As many contact centres have been inundated with calls, a good starting point is to check your lenders’ website for more information, most have specific COVID-19 support sections.

The four big banks have support packages for both consumers and businesses to help those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic:

The impact of COVID-19 on an individual’s credit report and score depends on the way information is reported by credit providers to Equifax and other credit reporting bodies.

Loan repayments are reflected in consumers’ credit reports as part of the repayment history information (RHI). If repayments are made on time each month this is reflected in a credit report and considered as part of an Equifax Score. Making repayments on time each month has a positive impact and several missed repayments can have a negative impact on an individual’s Equifax credit score.

Lenders and industry are working together to ensure consumers are supported and treated appropriately so their credit standing is not adversely impacted by COVID-19. Here are a couple of examples of how a ‘payment deferral’ arrangement due to COVID-19 could be reported:

  • If a consumer is up to date with payments and enters a ‘payment deferral’ lenders may supply RHI as 0, or up to date. In this situation there will be no impact to the consumers’ credit report, it will be invisible as the information supplied to a credit reporting body will look as if the account is up to date (provided all other factors remain the same).
  • If an individual is behind in repayments when they request a ‘payment deferral’ a lender may supply the information as ‘blank’ or RHI not reported. In this situation the Equifax Score will remain neutral or there may be some improvement in the score over time (provided all other factors remain the same).
  • If an individual is up to date with payments and enters a ‘payment deferral’ and a lender supplies RHI information as ‘blank’ or RHI not reported there will be a slight reduction in the score over time (provided all other factors remain the same).

Equifax has put together these tips to help consumers manage their credit report during this time:

  • If a consumer is up to date with payments and enters a ‘payment deferral’ lenders may supply RHI as 0, or up to date. In this situation there will be no impact to the consumers’ credit report, it will be invisible as the information supplied to a credit reporting body will look as if the account is up to date (provided all other factors remain the same).
  • If an individual is behind in repayments when they request a ‘payment deferral’ a lender may supply the information as ‘blank’ or RHI not reported. In this situation the Equifax Score will remain neutral or there may be some improvement in the score over time (provided all other factors remain the same).
  • If an individual is up to date with payments and enters a ‘payment deferral’ and a lender supplies RHI information as ‘blank’ or RHI not reported there will be a slight reduction in the score over time (provided all other factors remain the same).

No, in Australia we do not have the ability to add a file note to a credit report.

Yes, you can get your free Equifax credit report at www.equifax.com.au

Essential Guides

Essentail Guide Article 1

Aliquam maximus ipsum quis fringilla lacinia. Donec sodales posuere posuere. Sed ac nibh eu eros blandit vulputate at eget urna. Morbi eget varius lorem. Etiam iaculis posuere diam eu efficitur.

Read More

Essentail Guide Article 2

Aliquam maximus ipsum quis fringilla lacinia. Donec sodales posuere posuere. Sed ac nibh eu eros blandit vulputate at eget urna. Morbi eget varius lorem. Etiam iaculis posuere diam eu efficitur.

Read More

Essentail Guide Article 3

Aliquam maximus ipsum quis fringilla lacinia. Donec sodales posuere posuere. Sed ac nibh eu eros blandit vulputate at eget urna. Morbi eget varius lorem. Etiam iaculis posuere diam eu efficitur.

Read More

Equifax contact centres and support

Site closures and/or government mandated curfews have impacted our call centre, we are currently experiencing a high volume of calls, as a result, there will be a longer hold time than usual. We are continuing to process and respond to queries received via our website, and you can contact us via the channels below.

We are actively managing this situation to ensure we answer our consumer queries as quickly as possible, however there may be delays to our usual response times. Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused.

X Close

Thanks for choosing Equifax!

To make sure you are accessing the right product, we need you to answer the following questions.

You can get a free copy of your personal Equifax credit report:

  • if you have been declined credit in the last 90 days; or
  • if you have had an item corrected on your Equifax credit report; or
  • once every 12 months.

If you do not meet the criteria, a once-off Equifax credit report is currently available for free.

Multipage

Great news!

You are eligible for a free Equifax Credit Report.