A credit bureau is a company that collects and maintains information about consumers' credit history. In South Africa, the major credit bureaus include TransUnion, Experian, XDS, and Compuscan.
Credit bureaus:
• Record your payment history on all credit accounts
• Generate your credit score and credit report
• Provide information to credit providers when you apply for credit
• Record debt review status and clearance certificates
During debt review, your status is updated at all credit bureaus to show you are under debt review, which provides protection from further credit extension.