A
Credit
Adverse Listing
A mark on your credit report showing you've missed payments, defaulted, or ignored a judgment. Stays for 1-5 years depending on what it is. One adverse listing can kill your loan application or get you hit with 25% interest instead of 15%.
Usage Examples
"Bongani missed a cellphone contract payment. That adverse listing stuck on his credit report for two years. When he tried to get a car loan, FNB declined him because of it. Even though it was paid now, the mark was still fresh."
"Nomsa had three adverse listings — a missed bond payment, a defaulted store card, a judgment from Edgars. Lenders saw her as high-risk. African Bank approved her for R5,000 but at 28% interest. The listings cost her money."
"Andile disputed an adverse listing for a bill he'd already paid. He had proof. Credit bureau removed it after investigation. That one removal bumped his credit score by 30 points. Disputes work if you've got evidence."