How Can I Improve My Credit Score?

1. Start by knowing your score

You can’t fix what you can’t see. Get your free credit report from the bureaus — TransUnion, Experian or XDS — and read it carefully for errors — accounts that aren’t yours, debts you’ve already paid, or listings kept past their time. Mistakes are more common than people think. Anything incorrect can be disputed, and the bureau must investigate within 20 business days.

2. Pay every account on time

Payment history is the single biggest factor in your score, so this is where the biggest gains are. Set up debit orders or reminders so you never miss a due date — even small store accounts count. A consistent record of on-time payments, month after month, is what rebuilds a score.

3. Reduce your debt and keep utilisation low

Owing a lot — especially using most of your available credit — pulls your score down. Aim to keep your balances below about 30% of your limits, and focus on paying down high-interest debt first. Lower balances signal that you are in control.

4. Clear defaults, judgments and paid-up accounts

Settled accounts that still show as unpaid, and judgments you have already paid, quietly hold your score back. Getting a paid-up letter and having these updated can make a real difference. We help with paid-up letters, judgments and general credit record clearance for listings that qualify.

5. Limit new credit applications

Every application leaves a “hard” enquiry on your record, and several in a short space of time make you look like you are scrambling for credit. Apply only when you genuinely need to, and space applications out.

6. Keep older accounts open

The length of your credit history helps your score, so closing your oldest accounts can actually work against you. It is usually better to keep one or two long-standing accounts open and manage them well than to open several new ones at once.

How long does it take?

Be patient — there is no overnight fix, and anyone promising one should be treated with caution. Recent, positive behaviour carries more weight over time, so most people who stick with these habits see meaningful improvement within roughly six to twelve months. Clearing incorrect or outdated listings can help sooner.

Frequently asked questions

This article is general information about South African credit and is not legal or financial advice. CleanCredit, a division of The Debt Company, assists with qualifying credit-record matters in line with the National Credit Act. We do not provide loans or debt consolidation and cannot remove accurate, valid or current debt. A free assessment carries no obligation.