3 min read Financial Health

What to Do If You’re Listed on CRB in Kenya and Have Never Taken A Loan

What to Do If You’re Listed on CRB in Kenya and Have Never Taken A Loan

Finding out you’re listed with a Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) when you’ve never taken a loan is maddening—and it can block you from credit, jobs, tenders, and sometimes complicate opportunities that require background checks. In most cases, it’s an error or identity theft. Here’s exactly what to do, step by step, plus an FAQ you can skim for quick answers.

Step 1: Confirm your CRB status (all three bureaus)

Kenya has three licensed CRBs. Pull a report from each:

  • TransUnion – Nipashe app/SMS
  • Metropol – Crystobol app/USSD *433#
  • CreditInfo Kenya – online portal

Check for:

  • Lender name and contact
  • Amount owed
  • Date of listing
  • Account/reference number

If you’ve never borrowed, any “loan” here is a red flag.

Step 2: Ask the CRB for listing details (in writing)

Request a full credit report and the exact data source:

  • Lending institution’s name
  • Submission date
  • Contact person/email at the lender

Save everything—PDF reports, emails, reference numbers.

Step 3: Notify the lender immediately (and keep a paper trail)

Write to the lender cited in the listing. State clearly:

  • You never applied for or received the loan
  • You suspect error or fraudulent use of your ID
  • You demand an investigation and immediate correction to all CRBs

Attach:

  • National ID (front/back)
  • Relevant page(s) of your CRB report
  • Any evidence showing you couldn’t have taken the loan (e.g., travel docs)

Send by email and deliver a hard copy if possible. Keep stamped copies.

Step 4: Open a formal dispute with the CRB(s)

File a dispute with each CRB showing the entry. Include:

  • Your ID
  • A short signed letter or their dispute form
  • Copies of your lender letter and CRB report
  • Police OB number/affidavit if fraud is suspected (see Step 5)

Ask the CRB to flag the entry as “under investigation” and to remove it if the lender can’t verify it in time.

Step 5: Report identity theft (if applicable)

If any part of this smells like fraud:

  • Report at your nearest police station and get an OB number
  • Swear an affidavit that you didn’t borrow
  • Consider alerting your mobile operator and bank to watch for suspicious activity

These documents carry weight with lenders and CRBs.

Step 6: Escalate if you hit a wall

If the lender/CRB drags their feet or gives vague responses:

  • Escalate to the Central Bank of Kenya (Consumer Protection)
  • If the data is clearly inaccurate and not being corrected, you can also escalate to the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC)

Attach your full paper trail (reports, letters, OB number, affidavit).

Step 7: Monitor and prevent a repeat

  • Re-check your CRB reports after resolution and at least annually
  • Sign up for CRB alerts where available
  • Guard your ID copies; don’t leave them with third parties
  • Shred/dispose of old financial documents securely
  • Be cautious with online forms asking for personal details

Quick takeaway

Being listed when you’ve never borrowed is fixable. Move fast, document everything, file disputes with CRBs and notify the lender, then escalate if needed. Once corrected, keep monitoring so it doesn’t happen again.

Frequently Asked Questions: Wrong CRB Listings in Kenya

Can CRB list me without borrowing?
Yes, but it’s usually due to an error, identity theft, or fraudulent borrowing using your details. Treat it as urgent.

How do I dispute a wrong CRB listing in Kenya?
Pull your reports from TransUnion, Metropol, and CreditInfo. File written disputes with the CRB(s) and the named lender, attach your ID and evidence, and request removal if the lender can’t verify.

Do I need a police report for suspected fraud?
Highly recommended. An OB number and an affidavit strengthen your case and speed resolution with lenders and CRBs.

How long should a dispute take?
CRBs flag the item as under investigation and engage the lender. Timelines vary, but you should receive updates; if the lender can’t substantiate, the CRB should remove the entry.

Will a wrong listing affect jobs, tenders, or visas?
It can. Many employers and tender committees request a CRB clearance certificate. Clean the record first, then request your certificate.

What if the lender and CRB ignore me?
Escalate to CBK Consumer Protection. If the data is inaccurate and not corrected, also consider the ODPC under your data rights.

How do I avoid this in future?
Safeguard your ID, limit copies you share, shred old documents, use CRB alerts, and check your reports yearly.

Remember!

If you need quick, transparent logbook loan, contact us through our contact form, call us on +254791573231 or visit one of our branches across Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado counties to explore your financial options.

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