Keeping on top of your credit report essential in avoiding hidden traps says the Public Defender

DO you know what’s on your credit report? While there’s been a big jump in numbers checking, four out of five still haven’t.

young woman holding a credit card and reading bills Picture: Thinkstock

DO you know whatÂ’s on your credit report? While thereÂ’s been a big jump in numbers checking, four out of five still havenÂ’t.

David Blench’s should have been clean but it wasn’t. Another reader, Terry Rumble, did have a clean report. But he didn’t know that by “shopping around” he was affecting his ability to get credit. Today we help both readers.

Mr Blench, a teacher from Winston Hills, went to a Telstra shop to get a new phone and plan last month after his previous contract ended. When Telstra went to activate the new service it revealed a credit default dating back to an unpaid account from 2009.

Mr Blench was flummoxed. If there was a problem why had Telstra not raised it when he upgraded his phone in 2010 and 2012? He was getting nowhere with Telstra or debt collector Baycorp so he contacted Public Defender. The default has now been removed.

“Telstra sincerely apologises to Mr Blench. This issue arose because of ‘human error’,” a spokeswoman said.

young woman holding a credit card and reading bills Picture: Thinkstock

It appears Telstra failed to cancel an internet service it couldn’t provide.

“Thank you very much. Within the space of 24 hours it’s been a completely different outcome,” Mr Blench said.

Telstra’s spokeswoman said Mr Blench had done nothing wrong but when a customer cancels a service or product they should ensure they receive a final bill, check that it is correct and retain it.

Meanwhile, Mr Rumble, an Unanderra retiree, applied for a Woolworths Everyday Rewards Qantas credit card but was knocked back.

“I don’t owe money to anyone,” Mr Rumble said. “I pay in full and on time every month. All I can put it down to is that I shop around.”

Mr Rumble had submitted several applications in a short period of time. He was approved for some, leading him to believe the others had unfairly rejected him. But they were just protecting themselves based on probability, according to Steve Brown of credit reporting agency Dun & Bradstreet (D&B).

“Shop around by all means — it’s probably never been easier than it is today — and once you’ve identified the product with the right features and the right rate, we would suggest you get a copy of your credit report … and submit an application for just that product.”

Following Public Defender’s request Woolworths will reconsider Mr Rumble’s application. He is very grateful.

Corinne Le Gall is delighted her 470,000 frequent flyer points have been restored. Pictur

Two-way loyalty is restored

AFTER dealing with the deaths of her parents, one after the other, Corinne Le Gall last month decided it was time to use some of her 470,000 Qantas Frequent Flyers.

But her points — easily enough to travel first class to London and back — had disappeared.

“I thought, this can’t be right,” Ms Le Gall recalled this week.

But it was. Ms Le Gall had fallen prey to one of the ways that millions of Australians have had the value of their rewards slashed — the Flying Kangaroo’s decision to halve the shelf life of Frequent Flyers.

Because there had been no activity on her account for 18 months the points had expired. Ms Le Gall made a plea on compassionate grounds. She had been grieving and handling her parents’ estates. Qantas asked for death certificates. They were sent.

Qantas said it had twice warned her that she was at risk of losing her points. Ms Le Gall does not remember receiving either advisory.

Despite being a Frequent Flyer scheme member for 18 years her plea for the return of her points was turned down.

“It shouldn’t just be one-way loyalty,” Ms Le Gall, 58, of Vincentia on the NSW south coast, said.

After Public Defender’s intervention the points have been reinstated.

“Thank you so much,” Ms Le Gall said. “Your assistance has made this girl smile again.”

So how do you avoid this happening to you?

The easiest way, according to Australian Business Traveller, is to link a Woolworths Everyday Rewards card to your Frequent Flyer scheme. Swipe your Everyday Rewards card when you grocery shop. You’ll add to your Frequent Flyers and in doing so, keep your account active and avoid the expiration of your points.