- Equifax and TransUnion both let you download your credit report for free, and they update it at least once a month.
- Checking your own report is a soft inquiry and doesn’t affect your score.
- Late or unpaid accounts can stay for up to 6 years; hard inquiries stay 3 years at Equifax and 6 at TransUnion.
- Credit bureaus must correct errors for free. Equifax says online disputes take about 15 to 20 days.
Checked October 2026
Get your free report from both bureaus
Canada has 2 main credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion. They build separate files from what lenders report to them, and Equifax notes that some lenders report to both, some to one and some to neither. That’s why FCAC suggests checking both reports, not just one.
| Equifax | TransUnion | |
|---|---|---|
| Free report online | Yes, download it online | Yes, called a Consumer Disclosure |
| Free score online | Yes, in every province and territory | Free in Quebec and Ontario, with the Consumer Disclosure |
| Report by phone | 1-800-465-7166 | 1-800-663-9980 |
| Hard inquiries kept | 3 years | 6 years |
| Closed accounts in good standing | Up to 10 years | Up to 20 years |
You can also ask either bureau to mail you a free report: send their request form with photocopies of 2 valid pieces of ID. In some provinces you can request it in person with at least 2 pieces of ID. Some banks also show a free score in their apps.
Section 1: Personal information
The top of the report identifies you. It may list your name, date of birth, current and previous addresses and phone numbers, social insurance number, driver’s licence and passport numbers, and current and previous employers and job titles.
Equifax says this identifying information isn’t used to calculate your score, but it still matters. An address you never lived at or an employer you never worked for can mean your file has been mixed with someone else’s, or that someone has used your identity.
Section 2: Credit accounts (tradelines)
This is the heart of the report. Every credit card, loan, line of credit, retail card and mortgage you hold is listed as a tradeline. For each one, Equifax says you’ll generally see:
- The type of account, such as a credit card, mortgage or car loan
- The date you opened it
- Your credit limit or original loan amount
- The current balance
- Your payment history, including late or missed payments and whether you went over your limit
FCAC adds that phone, internet and utility accounts, mortgage payment history and home equity lines of credit may also appear, along with accounts closed for cause, such as a chequing account closed over money owing or fraud.
Read this section slowly. Look for accounts you don’t recognize, payments marked late that you made on time, wrong limits and balances, and closed accounts shown as open. Your balance compared with your limit feeds directly into your score, so a wrong limit can cost you points. Our guide to what a good credit score is explains why.
Section 3: Inquiries
Every time someone pulls your file, it’s recorded as an inquiry. There are two kinds:
Hard inquiries
Created when you apply for credit, such as a credit card, loan or mortgage, and sometimes for rentals or jobs. Lenders can see them and they affect your score.
Soft inquiries
Your own requests, pre-approved offers and reviews by companies you already deal with. Only you can see them and they don’t affect your score.
A hard inquiry you didn’t authorize is a red flag for fraud. Shopping for a car loan or mortgage? FCAC says quotes from different lenders within a 2-week period count as 1 inquiry.
Section 4: Public records and collections
The last section covers the serious items: bankruptcies, consumer proposals, court judgments, debts sent to collection agencies, NSF payments and bad cheques, and registered items such as a lien on a car. It’s also where you’ll find any consumer statement, fraud alert or identity verification alert on your file.
| Item | How long it stays |
|---|---|
| Late or unpaid credit cards and loans | Up to 6 years |
| Hard inquiries | 3 years at Equifax, 6 years at TransUnion |
| Judgments | Usually 6 years; TransUnion keeps them 7 years in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and Quebec, and 10 in PEI |
| Debt management plan | Removed 2 years after you finish paying |
| Consumer proposal | 3 years after you pay it off or 6 years after you sign, whichever comes first |
| Bankruptcy | Usually 6 years after discharge; 7 at TransUnion in some provinces; 14 years for more than one |
Source: FCAC, How long information stays on your credit report.
How to dispute an error
You have the right to dispute anything you believe is wrong, and credit bureaus must correct errors for free. FCAC lays out the process:
- Gather proofCollect statements, receipts and letters that show the mistake. Equifax asks for 2 government IDs for personal details, plus a proof of address dated within 90 days if your ID doesn’t show it.
- File with both bureausUse each bureau’s dispute form. Equifax takes disputes online or by mail and says it processes them in about 15 to 20 days online and 20 to 25 days by mail. Include the Equifax Reference Number from your report if you have it.
- Contact the lenderAsk the company that reported the item to check its records and send the correction to the bureaus. This can speed things up.
- Escalate if neededIf you’re not satisfied, ask for someone at a higher level. Federally regulated banks must have a complaint process.
- Add a consumer statementIf the item stays, you can add a short, free statement explaining your side. Lenders may read it when they review your file.
If you find signs of fraud
- Tell the lender and any company affected by the account you didn’t open.
- Ask both Equifax and TransUnion to add a fraud alert, so lenders must confirm your identity before approving new credit. They may ask for ID and may charge a fee.
- In some provinces you can place a security freeze (also called a credit freeze or lock). Remember to lift it before you apply for credit.
- Report the fraud to the National Fraud Reporting System.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my TransUnion credit report in Canada for free?
Request your Consumer Disclosure online from TransUnion Canada for free. You can also call 1-800-663-9980 or mail the request form with copies of 2 pieces of ID. If you live in Quebec or Ontario, your TransUnion score is included free.
How do I get a free Equifax credit report?
Download it free online from Equifax Canada, call 1-800-465-7166, or mail the request form with copies of 2 pieces of ID. Equifax also shows your score for free in every province and territory.
Why are my Equifax and TransUnion reports different?
They’re separate companies building separate files. Some lenders report to both, some to one and some to neither, and the two bureaus keep information for different lengths of time.
Does checking my own credit report lower my score?
No. Checking your own report or score is a soft inquiry. FCAC confirms it doesn’t affect your credit score.
What’s the difference between a soft and hard credit check?
A hard check happens when you apply for credit and can lower your score; lenders can see it. A soft check, such as checking your own report or a pre-approved offer, is visible only to you and has no effect on your score.
How long do collections stay on my credit report?
FCAC lists accounts sent to collection agencies as negative information that bureaus can only keep for a limited time. Late or unpaid credit cards and loans stay for up to 6 years.
Can I remove a paid collection or a late payment?
Only if it’s wrong. A dispute can correct inaccurate information, but if the lender confirms it’s accurate, the bureau keeps it until the time limit passes. You can add a free consumer statement to explain it.
How do I dispute an error on my Equifax report?
File a dispute online, where Equifax emails you a form, or mail the printed form with copies of your documents. Equifax says it processes disputes in about 15 to 20 days online and 20 to 25 days by mail.
What is a credit freeze in Canada?
A security freeze locks your credit report so lenders can’t access it, which helps stop fraudsters opening accounts in your name. It’s available in some provinces and territories. Lift it before you apply for credit yourself.
How often is my credit report updated?
Equifax and TransUnion update your report and score at least once a month as lenders send new information.
Try this next
Sources, checked October 2026
- FCAC: Credit report and score basics canada.ca
- FCAC: Getting your credit report and credit score canada.ca
- Equifax Canada: What information is in a credit report? equifax.ca
- FCAC: How long information stays on your credit report canada.ca
- FCAC: Checking your credit report for errors and fraud canada.ca
- Equifax Canada: Dispute Credit Report Information equifax.ca
General information for Canadians, not financial, tax or legal advice. Rules and menus change, so confirm details with your bank, lender or the Government of Canada. See our methodology.