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CRIF High Mark and Experian are two of India’s most trusted credit bureaus, widely used by banks and NBFCs to assess the creditworthiness of borrowers. Understanding the differences between Experian and CRIF can help you manage your credit profile more effectively and make informed financial decisions.

Understanding Credit Scores

A credit score is a three-digit number that reflects your credit history, typically ranging from 300 to 900. Lenders use it to decide whether to approve your loan or credit card application. Your score is calculated based on factors like repayment history, credit utilisation, and credit inquiries.

Experian Credit Score

Experian is a leading credit bureau in India that calculates your credit score by analysing your borrowing and repayment history. It collects data from banks and financial institutions to assign a score between 300 and 900. Higher scores reflect responsible borrowing, timely repayments, and stronger chances of loan approval.

CRIF High Mark Credit Score

CRIF High Mark is another leading credit bureau that uses a similar scoring range of 300 to 900 to assess your creditworthiness. It gathers information from a wide network of lenders to evaluate your repayment behaviour, credit mix, and overall financial discipline.

Differences Between CRIF and Experian

CRIF High Mark and Experian are RBI-licensed credit bureaus in India, but they differ in how they operate and evaluate credit profiles. The Experian vs CRIF table below highlights key differences to help you understand how each bureau functions.

Particulars

CRIF High Mark

Experian

Year of Establishment in India

2007

2009

Global Parent Company

CRIF

Experian PLC

Headquarter in India

Mumbai

Mumbai

RBI License

Yes

Yes

Coverage

Covers retail, MSME, commercial, and microfinance data

Focuses mainly on retail credit data

Score Update Frequency

Monthly

Monthly

Credit Score Range

300 to 900

300 to 900

Recommended Score

750 and above

800 and above

Good Credit Score Range

650–749

670–739

Bad Credit Score Range

Below 550

Below 580

Free Credit Report

1 free report per year through the official website

1 free report per year through the official website

Credit Report Subscription Fee

₹399 per year

₹499 per year

Dispute Resolution

Supports dispute resolution

Supports dispute resolution

Raise Dispute Online

Yes, through the CRIF website

Yes, through the Experian website

Raise Dispute Offline

Yes, via post or customer service

Yes, via post or customer service

How to Check Free CRIF Credit Score

You can check your free Experian credit score online in just a few simple steps:

  1. Visit the official CRIF High Mark website

  2. Click on ‘Get Free Score Now’

  3. Enter your full name, choose an ID type and add the value, mobile number, and email address 

  4. Set a password and click on ‘GET MY CREDIT SCORE’

  5. After this step, you can check your credit score and get the report

How to Check Free Experian Credit Score

You can easily check your free Experian credit score online by following these steps:

  1. Go to the Experian India official website

  2. Click on ‘Free Credit Score’

  3. Type in your mobile number that is linked to your credit account

  4. Enter your password, or set a password if you are a new user

  5. Click on ‘Verify Password & Send OT’

  6. Complete mobile number verification via OTP

  7. Once verified, you can view your credit score and download the report

Which Credit Score Do Lenders Check

Lenders in India check credit scores from major bureaus like CIBIL, Experian, CRIF High Mark, and Equifax, based on their internal policies and partnerships. While CIBIL is the most widely used, all these RBI-authorised bureaus provide reliable credit scores. The score considered can vary from lender to lender.

Steps to Rectify Errors on Credit Report

Credit reports can sometimes have errors such as incorrect personal details or outdated loan information, which may affect your credit score and loan approval chances. If you find any mistake, raise a dispute with the bureau and have it corrected promptly.

Here is how you can do this with CRIF High Mark and Experian.

 

How to Raise a Dispute with CRIF

To raise a dispute with CRIF High Mark, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to the CRIF portal

  2. Click on the ‘My Report’ tab and select ‘Raise a Query’

  3. Choose the credit report where you found the error and click on ‘Proceed’

  4. Select the account or specific detail you want to dispute

  5. Click on ‘Submit’ to raise your dispute request

 

How to Raise a Dispute with Experian

To dispute an error in your Experian credit report, use the steps below:

  1. Visit the Experian India website

  2. Log in to your account or create one if you haven’t already

  3. Go to the Dispute Resolution section

  4. Select the item you want to dispute and provide a brief explanation or supporting documents if needed

  5. Submit the dispute form online and note the reference number for tracking

Frequently Asked Questions

Experian or CRIF High Mark score, which is better?

There’s no significant difference between the two credit scores in terms of importance. Both are licensed by the RBI, have strong networks with banks, lenders, and NBFCs, and receive regular credit data. They are widely used in the financial industry and are considered reliable.

Thus, there is no real basis to say that one of these scores is ‘better’ than the other. Both are equally valid, and both are useful for lenders and credit applicants.

Why is my CRIF High Mark score different from Experian?

This variation comes from differences in each bureau’s scoring model and interpretation of your credit history. Each bureau applies its own parameters to assess credit behaviour and assign a score accordingly.

Which credit score is best in India?

Experian and CRIF High Mark are both recognised by the RBI and the Securities and Exchange Board of India. Therefore, both are reliable. However, CIBIL remains the most widely used credit bureau in India.

How often are CRIF High Mark and Experian scores updated?

Lenders report new credit activity to credit bureaus approximately every 30 to 45 days. This reporting schedule ensures credit reports remain updated on a regular basis.

Are Experian and CRIF High Mark the same?

No, they are different credit bureaus, although both perform the same function of generating credit reports. Each bureau uses a distinct scoring model, so the scores may vary slightly between them.

Why is my CRIF Score less than Experian?

CRIF and Experian use different algorithms and data sets to calculate credit scores. As a result, your score may vary between the two credit bureaus.

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