> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.fraudcheck.co.za/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.fraudcheck.co.za/product/products/screening/credit/individual-check.md).

# Individual credit check

Returns a full consumer credit bureau profile, optionally with month-by-month payment history.

Returns a full credit bureau profile for a South African consumer: personal details, address and employment history, credit accounts, defaults, debt counselling status, recent enquiries and an overall credit summary. Two variants are available, depending on whether you need month-by-month payment history per account.

{% hint style="info" %}
Previously listed as *Credit Check*.
{% endhint %}

## How it works

Choose **standard** or **payment profile**. The only difference is that payment profile adds month-by-month payment status for each account. Results can be retrieved again later.

## What it returns

The person's details, address history, known alternative names, phone number history and employment history; their credit accounts (with monthly payment history on the payment-profile variant); default records; active debt counselling records; recent credit enquiries; and a credit summary (total, active and closed accounts, current defaults and judgments, adverse accounts, revolving and instalment balances, and total credit exposure), with quick flags for any defaults or debt counselling.

## Inputs required

The person's ID number, first name and last name, and a prescribed purpose for the enquiry. Other personal, address, employment and enquiry details are optional.

## Data source

Credit bureau data.

## Consent and permissible purpose

You must obtain the data subject's consent and declare a prescribed purpose for the enquiry on every request. Credit information may only be accessed for a permitted purpose, and the duty to have one stays with you. See [Consent and permissible use](/product/overview/how-it-works/consent.md) and the guide [Credit checks and prescribed purposes](https://developer.fraudcheck.co.za/guides/credit-checks-and-prescribed-purposes).

## Channels

Portal and API. For request and response detail, see the [API reference](https://developer.fraudcheck.co.za/consumer-service/credit-and-financial-risk/credit-check).

## Outcomes

A credit profile rather than a single decision. Use [Individual credit score](/product/products/screening/credit/individual-score.md) for a decision-ready classification.

## Turnaround

Near real-time, typically 2–5 seconds, and up to 60 seconds under load.

## When to use it

Assessing credit risk on a loan or credit application, setting a credit limit, verifying creditworthiness during onboarding, detecting defaults, judgments and debt counselling, or analysing payment history with the payment-profile variant.


---

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