The rise and rise of the reign of mobile loan apps in Kenya, has increased the number of individuals blacklisted by the Credit Rating Bureau (CRB).
Gadgets Africa, put the total number of blacklisted individuals as a result of defaulting on loans at an astounding 500,000 in 2018, from just 150,000 in 2015.
With the threat by the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) to list the over 65,000 loan defaulters the Credit Reference Bureaus (CRBs), the number is only going to go even higher from here.
If you have ever at any point in time, taken up a loan through mobile apps, commercial banks, micro finance banks or through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), checking your Credit status to see if you have been blacklisted is crucial, as being blacklisted negatively affects your credit rating.
It is also important to note that when you are blacklisted by the CRB, this record will linger on for seven years, even after you repay the loan(s).
The only way to get off of the blacklist, whitelisted again, you will have to clear your name with either or all of the three companies below.
The three companies in question, have been authorized by The Credit Rating Bureau (CRB) to offer services which enable you check your credit status.
So let’s get down to it!
How To Check Your CRB status Using TransUnion
With TransUnion, you can access your CRB status through the SMS, the TransUnion Nipashe App or via their website; https://www.transunion.com
To check your CRB status via SMS with TransUnion, simply text your names the same way they are written on your National ID to 21272.
The SMS will however, cost you 19 Kenyan Shillings.
To avoid SMS costs, simply download the Transunion Nipashe app.
Once done:
- Register by paying Kes.50 to Paybill number 212121 (Airtel Money and M-PESA), use your National ID number as the account number.
- Request your credit status – Credit Report
- Reply with your email to access the report
- To access your credit report more than once a year, a fee of 650 Kenyan Shillings will be required.
- For a Clearance Certificate, you will need to pay 2,200 Kenyan Shillings to the paybill number and then email your transaction details to cert@transunion.co.ke.
- You will then be sent an email, which will contain your Clearance Certificate.
How To Check Your CRB status Using CreditInfo
With CreditInfo, you need to first:
- Access the CreditInfo website; https://ke.creditinfo.com/
- Fill in the Credit Report Request Form to gain access to your credit report.
To get a certificate of clearance, fill in the Credit Certificate application form.
To solve any issues on your credit report, fill in the Credit Report Dispute Form
How To Check Your CRB status Using Metropol
- Dial *433# on your Safaricom number.
- Put in your National ID Number.
- Next, enter zero (0) to continue.
- Confirm your details to complete the registration
- You will be required to pay 100 Kenyan Shillings, as registration fee through the Paybill number 220388. Use your National ID number as the account number.
- You will then receive three SMSs from Metropol. One is a confirmation for the payment, the second will contain your PIN and the third will contain a link and reference number which you will use to download your report
- Access the Metropol website through the provided link and input your phone number and the reference number to download your credit report.
