Your CRIF credit score plays a critical role in determining whether your loan or credit card application will be approved—and at what terms. But what if your score doesn’t reflect your actual credit behavior? What if it’s showing missed payments that never happened or an active loan that was closed months ago?
Many individuals assume their credit score is automatically accurate. But errors can and do happen—and they can cost you loan approvals, low interest rates, and even your financial reputation.
In this blog, we’ll answer the key question: Is your CRIF credit score accurate? And more importantly, we’ll show you how to verify it, fix issues, and maintain control over your credit profile.
Why Accuracy Matters in Your CRIF Credit Score
Your CRIF credit score is used by Banks, NBFCs, and FinTech platforms to assess your creditworthiness. Even a small inaccuracy can lead to:
- Rejected loan or credit card applications
- Higher interest rates
- Lower loan eligibility
- Damaged credit profile despite timely payments
That’s why it’s important not just to know your score, but understand whether it reflects your true credit history.
RupeeQ Tip: Use RupeeQ ACE to check CRIF score and get advanced insights. If your score looks lower than expected, ACE helps you identify which factors may be dragging it down.
What Can Make Your CRIF Credit Score Inaccurate?
Even though CRIF Highmark is a reputable and RBI-licensed credit bureau, its data is based on information received from lenders. Mistakes can happen due to:
- Delayed reporting by banks/NBFCs:
Sometimes, closed loans or recent payments aren’t reported immediately. - Incorrect loan status:
Loans marked as “active” even though they’ve been paid off. - Mistaken identity:
Your report might include information about someone with a similar name or PAN. - Duplicate accounts:
The same loan may appear twice due to technical reporting errors. - Unupdated repayments:
Even if you’ve paid an EMI, if it wasn’t reported correctly, your DPD (Days Past Due) field might show it as late or missed.
Example:
Ravi paid off his ₹50,000 personal loan in December. However, in March, his CRIF report still shows it as “active” with ₹10,000 outstanding. This false information lowers his credit score and causes a new loan application to be rejected.
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How to Check If Your CRIF Credit Score Is Accurate
To determine if your score is correct, follow these steps:
1. Get Your Latest CRIF Credit Report
You can do this in two ways:
- Through CRIF Highmark’s website: One free report per year.
- Via RupeeQ: Unlimited free access to your CRIF credit report along with ACE-powered insights.
RupeeQ Tip: With RupeeQ, you not only see your score but also get a breakdown of your credit usage, payment history, and risk indicators.
2. Review Key Sections in the Report
Go through these sections carefully:
- Account Status: Are any closed loans still showing as active?
- Outstanding Balances: Do the balances match your actual dues?
- DPD History: Are there any missed EMI entries you don’t agree with?
- Enquiry History: Are there inquiries you never made?
- Personal Details: Is your name, PAN, and date of birth accurate?
Example:
Priya finds an EMI marked as overdue in her CRIF report, even though she had cleared it through auto-debit. This false entry dropped her score from 742 to 689.
3. Cross-Check With Bank Statements or Loan Documents
To verify the accuracy of your credit report, compare it against:
- Bank account statements
- Credit card billing history
- Loan closure letters or No Objection Certificates (NOCs)
- SMS or email confirmations of EMI payments
Make a note of any mismatches between these records and your CRIF credit report.
What to Do If You Find an Inaccuracy
Step 1: Raise a Dispute
You can raise a dispute in two ways:
- CRIF Portal: Go to My Report > Raise a Query, select the disputed entry, and submit.
- RupeeQ Dashboard: Log in, click My Report, and raise a query with just a few clicks.
RupeeQ Tip: Raise disputes directly through your RupeeQ account. It’s simpler, trackable, and you’ll receive email notifications when the dispute is resolved.
Step 2: Track the Dispute
Once you submit your dispute:
- You’ll receive a ticket number
- CRIF will verify the issue and coordinate with the lender
- You’ll get a resolution within 30 days
- Your credit report will be updated accordingly
Step 3: Recheck Your Score
After the dispute is resolved, recheck your credit report and score after 30–45 days. Make sure the correction has been applied, and that your score has adjusted.
How Often Should You Verify Your Score?
- Every 3–6 months as a good habit
- Before applying for any loan or credit card
- After repaying a loan or closing a credit card
- If your loan application was unexpectedly rejected
How Accurate Is CRIF Compared to Other Bureaus?
CRIF is one of four credit bureaus approved by the RBI, alongside CIBIL, Experian, and Equifax. Each bureau may have slight differences in:
- Data received from lenders
- Score calculation models
- Update timelines
So if your score varies slightly across bureaus, that’s normal. But large discrepancies could indicate reporting errors worth investigating.
Conclusion
Your CRIF credit score directly affects your ability to access loans, credit cards, and even job offers in certain sectors. While CRIF Highmark works with accurate data, mistakes can happen, and it’s your responsibility to verify your score and credit report regularly.
Always check for errors, raise disputes promptly, and track changes using platforms like RupeeQ, which not only gives you access to your CRIF score for free but also helps you understand and improve your score with actionable insights via RupeeQ ACE.
When it comes to your credit health, staying informed is staying in control.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I know if my CRIF score is incorrect?
Check for signs like a sudden score drop, active loans you’ve closed, or overdue amounts you’ve already paid. Compare your credit report with your actual loan or card statements.
Can my CRIF score be wrong?
Yes. If lenders report incorrect data or fail to update loan repayments, your score can be negatively affected.
What should I do if my CRIF score seems wrong?
Raise a dispute with CRIF directly or through RupeeQ. Provide necessary proof like payment receipts or NOCs.
How long does it take to fix incorrect entries?
CRIF usually resolves disputes within 30 days. The updated score may reflect in the next 30–45 days depending on the lender’s reporting cycle.
Will my credit score improve after the error is corrected?
Yes. Once the wrong entry is corrected, your credit score will adjust in the next reporting cycle.
