A new credit score information website, creditsimple.co.nz, has been launched in New Zealand. Credit Simple, a wholly owned subsidiary of credit bureau Dun & Bradstreet, is offering retail customers free access to their credit information, and to deals it has negotiated for consumers with good credit scores. Credit Simple said its research showed 92 per cent of Kiwis don't know their own credit scores, while 72 per cent don't even know what a credit score is. This is not too different to the situation in Australia, where 85 per cent of consumers don't know their credit scores - implying 15 per cent do know their scores. In contrast, around 40 per cent of US consumers do know their credit score.Credit Simple's research shows only 13 per cent of people have ordered their credit file, although 84 per cent say they're interested in finding out what their score is. A small proportion - just 15 per cent - have used their good credit score to ask for a better deal from finance providers or utilities."Forty-two per cent have a loan with a bank or other financial institution, and of those, 59 per cent would consider switching banks to get a better interest rate. Meanwhile, 45 per cent of all those surveyed are considering getting a new loan or credit card."Interestingly, the launch of Credit Simple came as the results of a survey of more than 2000 Australians were published by finder.com, which was promoting a new partnership with D&B's rival credit bureau, Veda and also offering free credit checks. Finder.com asserted that "one in four Australians fear their credit score could stop them getting a loan or credit card." While the majority of Australians (67 per cent) don't expect a lender to reject an application based on their credit score, it has been a reality for one in 11 of potential borrowers (nine per cent), the comparison website's research showed.The national survey also found that eight per cent of Australians had 'no opinion' on what consequences their credit score might have on their ability to borrow.