As a follow-up to my previous article about how to check whether you’re in CRB, I will today explain how to clear from CRB.
What you need to know is that getting listed on CRB isn’t
the end of the road.
In fact, hundreds of Kenyans successfully apply to have
their names removed from the CRB daily and even get a clearance certificate
promptly.
Read on to discover how to clear from CRB after getting
blacklisted.
How to clear from CRB: Step-by-step guide
Step 1: Know who has listed you
You’re, of course, blacklisted after failing to pay back
your loans on time.
In addition, and this is something some don’t realize, you
can be listed on the CRB portal if somebody you guaranteed a credit facility
defaulted.
That means you may never be sure which institution or loan
app has blacklisted you so your first step is confirming who listed you.
How to check who listed you:
- Using
your phone (Safaricom SIM card), dial *433# then simply
follow the given procedures (Metropol).
- If
not, visit metropol
website, create an account, then Login to check your status.
- The
other method will need that you Visit Google Playstore to download the
Metropol Crystobol app. You can Login from there (after installation and
verify your CRB.
There are other CRBs -Transunion CRB and iCreditinfo- and
their steps may be slightly different.
You can also contact any of the CRBs offices, a Cyber,
Huduma center, or SACCOs like OASIC
SACCO and request for your report.
Step 2: Contact whoever has listed you
Your next move is to obtain the contact details of your
lender and immediately get in touch.
Call, email, SMS, Whatsapp, or use social media and tell
your lender you wish to clear your debt.
The good news is most of the lenders will agree to delist
you even if you just pay part of the amount.
I was once a victim (a friend I had guaranteed defaulted on
shs.5000 KCB MPESA loan) and they delisted me after promising to be paying
shs.1000/- per month.
Be sure to keep your word lest you’re relisted.
Step 3: Follow up
After you pay, the agent of the bank/app that had listed
will usually write to the CRB company asking them to delete your name.
But some delay and you might need to call to remind them.
Step 4: CRB certificate application
Once you have confirmed removal, apply for a CRB clearance
certificate and submit it to your employer or whoever had requested it.
Just dial *433# or use your Metropol CRB
Kenya login details to request for the certificate.
You will be charged a Sh2200 processing fee, which you can
pay via MPESA as follows:
- Open
MPESA.
- Choose
Lipa na MPESA.
- Enter
220388 (Metropol business number).
- Type
your I.D. number as the account number.
- Enter
2200 for the amount.
- Type
your usual MPESA Pin then click send.
How to clear from CRB online
Some of you have requested I explain how to clear with CRB
after being blacklisted without going to the CRB offices and that’s what I have
elaborated above.
To recap:
- Use
your phone/website to find out who blacklisted you.
- Get
in touch with your creditor (or creditors) and discuss your payment plan
with them.
- Pay
the amount agreed and wait for your details to be erased.
- Follow
up, after let’s say one week, and confirm that you have been cleared.
- Pay
for and download your clearance certificate.
How to improve your CRB rating
Now that you know how to remove your name from CRB
blacklist, you should strive to build a positive CRB rating.
This will not only earn you cheaper loan deals but will also
make it easier for you to obtain loans from various institutions in Kenya.
The following tips will help you upgrade your credit rating.
Pay your installments promptly
This is self-explanatory and one of the best ways to better
your standing.
Indeed, there’s no point in waiting up to the last minute –
pay the soonest you can (and always pay the full installment by the due date).
Give honest information
Some of us tend to be dishonest when applying for credit.
Unbeknown to many, inconsistencies in the information you
submit risks lowering your rating since the CRB system might already be holding
your details from past submissions.
Remember lenders send are obligated to send your details
there each time you borrow – not just when you default.
Observe good borrowing practices
All said and done, you’ll always be safer if you follow what
finance gurus teach about borrowing.
The most important rules are:
- Borrow
wisely
Never borrow to cater for your daily bills and expenses.
As a matter of fact, doing this signals that your money
management skills are wanting or a yawning gap in your income/earnings.
Either way, you have to resolve this immediately lest you’re
forever trapped in debt that you’ll never afford to pay (which means a
permanent stay in the CRB website for you).
- Run
from greedy lenders
Secondly, never allow bad lenders to hoodwink you.
You see, there are apps that charge humongous interest rates
while offering incredibly short repayment periods (just 7 days, in some cases).
Worse still, they’re super quick to blacklist your name if
you delay even by one day!
CRB contacts
Transunion CRB (Transunion Nipashe Contacts)
Offices: Delta Corner Annex (Westlands Ln/ Ring
Road), Nairobi
Landline: 020 7603700/020 3751799
E-mail: info@crbafrica.com
Website: http://www.crbafrica.com/
Metropol CRB
Offices: KCB Towers, Kenya Road, 15th Floor-Nairobi
Landline: 020 2689881/020 27113575
Mobile: 0727 413 733/0732 774666
E-mail: creditbureau@metropol.co.ke
Website: https://www.metropol.co.ke/
Creditinfo CRB
Office: Park Suites, 2nd Floor, Parklands road.,
Office 12
Landline: 020-3757272
E-mail: cikinfo@creditinfo.co.ke
Official: https://ke.creditinfo.com/
How to clear from CRB: Summary
I will leave you with a summary of the steps:
- Get
your latest credit report by dialing *433#
- Talk
to the lenders that have listed you.
- Pay
as per your agreement.
- Follow
up for confirmation.
- Apply
for an updated clearance certificate.
That’s all.