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
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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.
- To order a copy of free file report, please go to https://www.equifax.com.au/personal/products/credit-and-identity-products
- Lodge a correction about an incorrect entry on your credit report https://www.equifax.com.au/personal/resolution-centre
- To place a Ban request on your credit report https://www.equifax.com.au/ban
- Any questions about the content of your credit report, please refer to the help centre https://www.equifax.com.au/personal/help-centre
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.