Credit issues and privacy
Information
Your right to information about your credit rating
If you are refused credit, you are entitled to get a copy of any information that may have influenced the lender's decision. You are also entitled to change any information held about you that is incorrect or incomplete.
One of the main sources of such information is usually the Irish Credit Bureau, the main consumer credit reference agency in Ireland. Most lenders in Ireland subscribe to the ICB. They submit information to it about their borrowers and apply to it for details of the credit-worthiness of individuals who may have loans with other lenders. Such information will influence a lender in deciding who should get a loan. A borrower's credit "record" holds details of repayments made on loans, missed payments or failure to clear off a loan. It reflects a full picture of his or her credit history, good and bad.
Rules
Correcting a mistake on your credit record
By law, financial institutions in Ireland must ensure that any information about you that they hold or give to anyone else is correct and up to date. So you have the right to ask them to correct any information about you that is wrong.
If you find a mistake in your credit record, ask your lender to write to the ICB with details of the change. The ICB cannot change your record unless a lender requests it to do so.
Rights to privacy about your loan
When you have a loan, your lender is not allowed to visit or telephone you at certain times. These restrictions are legally binding on all lenders and are designed to protect your privacy as a consumer.
Contact between lenders and consumers
Your lender cannot phone you or visit you in connection with your loan without your consent between 9 pm and 9 am on weekdays or at any time on a Sunday or public holiday.
- A lender is not permitted to call you or to visit you at your place of work unless you are also living there, or unless all reasonable efforts to contact you elsewhere have failed.
- Only the person involved in the loan can be contacted in connection with it. This means that your lender cannot contact your employer or a member of your family in relation to your loan.
How to apply
Obtaining a copy of your credit record
You can get a copy of your credit record by contacting the ICB at 01 2600 388, or by downloading the application form here. The completed form should be sent with payment of 6 euro to the Irish Credit Bureau.:
Where to apply
Irish Credit Bureau
ICB House
Newstead
Clonskeagh Road
Dublin 14
Tel:(01) 260 0388
Fax:(01) 260 0390
Homepage: http://www.icb.ie
Language
Related Documents
- Borrowing money in Ireland
Consumers in Ireland who borrow money are protected by legislation. Advice on getting the right loan for your needs and how to shop around for a loan. - Credit ratings
Describes how credit ratings work and how credit reference agencies are regulated. - Credit History - the Irish Credit Bureau
The Irish Credit Bureau contains information about the performance of credit agreements between financial institutions (i.e., banks and building societies) and you (i.e., the citizen).
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.