How do I suppress (place a ban on) my credit file?

Where you believe that you have been, or are  likely to be, a victim of fraud (including identity fraud) and you can verify who you are, you can contact a credit reporter (such as Equifax) and ask for an initial suppression for a ten day period.

In return you may be given a unique password or PIN.

This suppression (or ban), if you can verify your identity, and if granted, aims to block access to your credit file for the purpose of originating new credit - taking out a loan using your identity.

Please note: your credit file will still be updated with default information such as defaults on debts, judgments or insolvencies.

At the end of the ten days you may apply to extend the suppression but you will need to produce evidence of the likelihood of fraud e.g. a police report. You may also ask Equifax to lift the suppression to enable you to apply for credit.

Please visit the Credit File Suppression page to find out more.