How to improve your credit score

Featured

Introducing: A new credit score system

We've recently upgraded our scoring system. This article outlines what this change means and looks at how it could impact your credit profile. We'll also look at some of the questions users are asking. But before we get started, find out how we determine y

Read article

What is a good/bad credit score?

Understanding what makes a good and bad credit score is the first step to being accepted for credit (and at the best rates).

Read article

Can you get a personal loan with a low credit score?

In this article, we find out how a bad credit score can impact your chances of being approved for a personal loan, and we consider the steps you can take to improve yours.

Read article

How to get a loan with a low credit score

What happens if you need a loan but you have a low credit score? What are your options?

Read article

Credit Score & Report

View all Credit Score Articles

Get to grips with what your credit score and report are, where they come from and why they're so important.

What is a credit score?

We explain what a credit score is and why it matters

Read article

What is a credit report?

Our guide to understanding what a credit report is and what you need to know about it.

Read article

Factors that affect your credit score

Want to take control of your credit score? Here’s everything you need to know about the factors that count

Read article

Take charge of your credit report with our 5 minute monthly checklist

If you only have a few minutes a month to check your credit report, we’ve got a quick cheat sheet on the key things to keep an eye on.

Read article

Credit Cards

View all Credit Card articles

With hundreds of credit cards to choose from, our handy guides can help you narrow down your search.

How to choose your first credit card

Know you want a credit card but unsure about which one to pick? Read ClearScore's guide to choosing your first credit card.

Read article

Why pay with your credit card?

We look at the top reasons why you might benefit from paying with a credit card.

Read article

What to do if you’re turned down for a credit card

The top five reasons why you might have been turned down for a credit card, and some pointers to stop it happening the next time.

Read article

What is a credit card?

An easy to understand guide to credit cards: what you can use them for and the pros and cons of flashing the plastic.

Read article

Loans

View all Loan articles

From the different types of loan to making sure you get the best deal, it’s all explained here.

What is a personal loan?

We’ll explain everything you need to know about personal loans and how to get the best loan rate for you.

Read article

A guide to debt consolidation loans

We dive into what debt consolidation loans are and how they can help.

Read article

A beginner’s guide to the different types of loans

There are several types of loans on the market. We’ve put together a quick breakdown to help you understand the difference.

Read article

Why your loan risks rejection

Here are a few reasons why your loan application could be heading for the reject pile and how to avoid it.

Read article

Latest articles

Finances can be confusing. Here you can find clear information, so you can take control and feel good about your money.

Can Buy Now Pay Later affect my credit score?

Does buy now pay later affect your credit score in South Africa? Learn how Payflex, PayJustNow and BNPL credit checks may show on your credit report.

Read article

How to check your credit score in South Africa: a simple guide

Learn how to check your credit score online for free in South Africa, with your ID number, on the Capitec app or with ClearScore. Plus what to do next.

Read article

What credit score do you need to get a credit card?

We find out whether there’s a “perfect number” that will ensure you are approved for a credit card, and we then consider the ins and outs of selecting and applying for one.

Read article

Defaults, Judgments, Sequestration and Administration - Here's what to do if these appear on your credit report

It’s common to come across a lot of jargon on your credit report. Defaults, arrears, payment terms, judgments, obligations etc. How are you supposed to know whether the information is good or bad?

Read article

Do you need to be employed to qualify for credit?

Being employed isn’t the only way to prove that you have a steady income. We have a look at different scenarios regarding your credit application and employment status.

Read article

Blacklisted? There’s no such thing!

The term "blacklisting" or "blacklist" is still commonly used in South Africa, but the concept of “Blacklisting” no longer exists. We break down where it came from and why someone may think they are blacklisted

Read article

How to build your credit score from scratch

If you don’t have a lot of experience with credit, then your credit score will reflect this. We find out why you should improve your score, and we look at steps you can take to grow it.

Read article

Judgments (legal action)

A court judgment is when a provider takes legal action on an account. If there are a few months of missed payments, the provider can take legal action demanding payments.

Read article

What if someone has opened fraudulent accounts using my name?

If you believe you've been a victim of identity fraud, you’ll need to act quickly. Here's some things you can do.

Read article

What's the minimum credit score you need for a home loan?

The majority of South Africans rely on home loans to buy property. But what happens if you have a poor credit score? We find out whether you still have a chance of qualifying.

Read article

How to manage your credit accounts effectively

It can be tricky to manage several credit accounts. Each one has its own instalments, due dates, fees, and interest rates. In this article, we give you some tips on how to stay on top of them.

Read article

How to get a loan with a low credit score

What happens if you need a loan but you have a low credit score? What are your options?

Read article

How to improve your credit score

Featured

Introducing: A new credit score system

We've recently upgraded our scoring system. This article outlines what this change means and looks at how it could impact your credit profile. We'll also look at some of the questions users are asking. But before we get started, find out how we determine y

Read article

What is a good/bad credit score?

Understanding what makes a good and bad credit score is the first step to being accepted for credit (and at the best rates).

Read article

Can you get a personal loan with a low credit score?

In this article, we find out how a bad credit score can impact your chances of being approved for a personal loan, and we consider the steps you can take to improve yours.

Read article

How to get a loan with a low credit score

What happens if you need a loan but you have a low credit score? What are your options?

Read article

Credit Score & Report

View all Credit Score Articles

Get to grips with what your credit score and report are, where they come from and why they're so important.

What is a credit score?

We explain what a credit score is and why it matters

Read article

What is a credit report?

Our guide to understanding what a credit report is and what you need to know about it.

Read article

Factors that affect your credit score

Want to take control of your credit score? Here’s everything you need to know about the factors that count

Read article

Take charge of your credit report with our 5 minute monthly checklist

If you only have a few minutes a month to check your credit report, we’ve got a quick cheat sheet on the key things to keep an eye on.

Read article

Credit Cards

View all Credit Card articles

With hundreds of credit cards to choose from, our handy guides can help you narrow down your search.

How to choose your first credit card

Know you want a credit card but unsure about which one to pick? Read ClearScore's guide to choosing your first credit card.

Read article

Why pay with your credit card?

We look at the top reasons why you might benefit from paying with a credit card.

Read article

What to do if you’re turned down for a credit card

The top five reasons why you might have been turned down for a credit card, and some pointers to stop it happening the next time.

Read article

What is a credit card?

An easy to understand guide to credit cards: what you can use them for and the pros and cons of flashing the plastic.

Read article

Loans

View all Loan articles

From the different types of loan to making sure you get the best deal, it’s all explained here.

What is a personal loan?

We’ll explain everything you need to know about personal loans and how to get the best loan rate for you.

Read article

A guide to debt consolidation loans

We dive into what debt consolidation loans are and how they can help.

Read article

A beginner’s guide to the different types of loans

There are several types of loans on the market. We’ve put together a quick breakdown to help you understand the difference.

Read article

Why your loan risks rejection

Here are a few reasons why your loan application could be heading for the reject pile and how to avoid it.

Read article

Latest articles

Finances can be confusing. Here you can find clear information, so you can take control and feel good about your money.

Can Buy Now Pay Later affect my credit score?

Does buy now pay later affect your credit score in South Africa? Learn how Payflex, PayJustNow and BNPL credit checks may show on your credit report.

Read article

How to check your credit score in South Africa: a simple guide

Learn how to check your credit score online for free in South Africa, with your ID number, on the Capitec app or with ClearScore. Plus what to do next.

Read article

What credit score do you need to get a credit card?

We find out whether there’s a “perfect number” that will ensure you are approved for a credit card, and we then consider the ins and outs of selecting and applying for one.

Read article

Defaults, Judgments, Sequestration and Administration - Here's what to do if these appear on your credit report

It’s common to come across a lot of jargon on your credit report. Defaults, arrears, payment terms, judgments, obligations etc. How are you supposed to know whether the information is good or bad?

Read article

Do you need to be employed to qualify for credit?

Being employed isn’t the only way to prove that you have a steady income. We have a look at different scenarios regarding your credit application and employment status.

Read article

Blacklisted? There’s no such thing!

The term "blacklisting" or "blacklist" is still commonly used in South Africa, but the concept of “Blacklisting” no longer exists. We break down where it came from and why someone may think they are blacklisted

Read article

How to build your credit score from scratch

If you don’t have a lot of experience with credit, then your credit score will reflect this. We find out why you should improve your score, and we look at steps you can take to grow it.

Read article

Judgments (legal action)

A court judgment is when a provider takes legal action on an account. If there are a few months of missed payments, the provider can take legal action demanding payments.

Read article

What if someone has opened fraudulent accounts using my name?

If you believe you've been a victim of identity fraud, you’ll need to act quickly. Here's some things you can do.

Read article

What's the minimum credit score you need for a home loan?

The majority of South Africans rely on home loans to buy property. But what happens if you have a poor credit score? We find out whether you still have a chance of qualifying.

Read article

How to manage your credit accounts effectively

It can be tricky to manage several credit accounts. Each one has its own instalments, due dates, fees, and interest rates. In this article, we give you some tips on how to stay on top of them.

Read article

How to get a loan with a low credit score

What happens if you need a loan but you have a low credit score? What are your options?

Read article