How to Check Your Credit Score Free in Canada
Both Equifax and TransUnion provide free annual credit reports through their official websites. Here is exactly how to request yours, what to look for, and how to dispute errors — before you apply for a car loan.
Last reviewed: March 2026
Key Facts
- Equifax
- Free annual report online at equifax.ca
- TransUnion
- Free annual report online at transunion.ca
- Frequency
- Check at least once per year
- Disputes
- File directly with the bureau — no middleman needed
Check Before You Apply — Errors Are Common
How to Get Your Free Equifax Report (Step-by-Step)
Equifax Canada provides free online access to your credit report and score at equifax.ca — no credit card required and no subscription needed. The process takes about 10-15 minutes and your SIN is required for identity verification.
Equifax is one of the two main credit bureaus in Canada and is used by a wide range of lenders. Your Equifax report contains your full credit history as reported by creditors who use Equifax. Here is how to access it at no cost.
Visit equifax.ca
Go directly to the official Equifax Canada website at equifax.ca. Do not use search engine ads or third-party redirect sites — go to the official URL directly. Equifax offers both a free basic report and paid monitoring products. The free report option is available without subscribing to a paid service.
Create or log in to your Equifax account
You will need to create a free Equifax account using your name, address, date of birth, and Social Insurance Number (SIN). Your SIN is used to verify your identity against the credit file — Equifax Canada is a regulated credit bureau and this is a secure, standard process.
Answer identity verification questions
Equifax will ask you a series of questions based on your credit history to verify that you are who you say you are. These questions may reference accounts, addresses, or creditors from your past. Answer from memory if you can — if you are unsure of a specific detail, select 'none of the above' rather than guessing.
Access your report and score
Once verified, you can view your full credit report including your account history, payment records, inquiries, and public records. Your credit score is also displayed. Download or print your report — you will want to review it carefully and keep a copy before you apply for any credit.
Note: Equifax also offers paid subscription services for ongoing monitoring. The free annual report does not require a subscription. If you are prompted to enter payment information for a basic report, you are on the wrong path — navigate back and look for the free report option.
How to Get Your Free TransUnion Report (Step-by-Step)
TransUnion Canada provides a free annual credit report through their official website at transunion.ca, as well as by phone and mail. Your TransUnion file may differ from your Equifax file — check both.
TransUnion is the second major credit bureau used by Canadian lenders. Many subprime and alternative auto lenders pull TransUnion when evaluating financing applications, making it equally important to review before you apply.
Visit transunion.ca
Go directly to the official TransUnion Canada website at transunion.ca. Like Equifax, TransUnion offers paid monitoring products alongside the free report. Navigate to their free credit report option — it is available without subscribing to a paid service.
Request online, by mail, or by phone
TransUnion Canada offers three ways to request your free report. Online through their secure portal is fastest. By phone through their consumer relations centre at 1-800-663-9980. By mail to TransUnion Consumer Relations Dept, Box 338 LCD1, Hamilton, Ontario L8L 7W2. Online is the most practical option for most people.
Verify your identity
Similar to Equifax, TransUnion will require you to verify your identity using your personal information and SIN. The online process includes identity verification questions drawn from your credit history. The phone process will involve a customer service representative.
Review your TransUnion report
Compare your TransUnion report with your Equifax report. They may differ — not all lenders report to both bureaus. Note any accounts or items that appear on one but not the other. Both reports matter because different lenders pull different bureaus.
What to Look For When You Review Your Report
Approximately 1 in 5 Canadian credit reports contains at least one error significant enough to affect lending decisions. Errors are not always obvious — they can be subtle inaccuracies in payment dates, balances, or account statuses. Here is what to check systematically.
Do not just scan your credit score and close the report. The score is calculated from the data in your file — if the data is wrong, the score is wrong. A careful review of the full report can surface issues that a quick score check would never reveal.
Accounts You Do Not Recognize
An account on your report that you did not open is a serious red flag for identity theft. It could also be a legitimate account you forgot about — a store card from years ago, for example. Investigate anything unrecognized before assuming fraud, but do investigate it. Unrecognized accounts that you did not open should be disputed immediately.
Incorrect Late Payment Records
Late payment records are the most common error on credit reports. An account reported as late when you paid on time, or a payment reported 60 days late when it was only 30 days late, can meaningfully depress your score. Check the payment history on every account and cross-reference against your own records if you have them.
Balances That Are Wrong or Outdated
If you paid off a loan or credit card, the balance should show as zero and the account should be reported as closed or paid. If a paid account is still showing an outstanding balance, that is an error worth disputing. The same applies to accounts that were discharged in a bankruptcy or completed consumer proposal — their status should reflect the discharge.
Duplicate Accounts
Occasionally, the same account appears twice on a credit report — particularly after a creditor is sold or the debt changes hands between collection agencies. A duplicate derogatory account can make your file look significantly worse than it actually is. Identify duplicates and dispute the extra entry.
Outdated Negative Items
Negative items have a maximum retention period set by regulation. If a late payment, collection, or bankruptcy has been on your report longer than the retention period allows, you can file a dispute to have it removed. Check the dates carefully — the retention period starts from the date of the event, not from when the item was reported.
Incorrect Personal Information
Check that your name, address, date of birth, and SIN are recorded correctly. Incorrect personal information can cause your file to be mixed with another person's — a situation called a mixed file, which can be very difficult to resolve and can result in another person's negative history appearing on your report.
How to Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report
You file disputes directly with the bureau — Equifax or TransUnion — not with the original creditor. Bureaus are required by regulation to investigate and respond, typically within 30 days.
Disputing a legitimate error on your credit report is your legal right under Canada's consumer protection framework. The process is straightforward and does not require a credit repair agency or any third-party service — you can do it yourself at no cost.
Document the Error
Before you file, collect your evidence. A bank statement showing the payment was made on time, a letter from a creditor confirming a balance was paid, a discharge certificate from a bankruptcy — whatever supports your position. The stronger your documentation, the faster and more likely the correction.
File With the Correct Bureau
File your dispute with the bureau that has the error. If the error appears on both Equifax and TransUnion, file with both — they operate independently and do not automatically share corrections. You can file online through each bureau's official website, by phone, or by mail.
Wait for the Investigation
The bureau is required to investigate your dispute. They will contact the creditor or lender that reported the disputed item and ask them to verify the information. Investigations typically take 30 days. You will receive a written response with the outcome.
Review the Outcome
If the bureau confirms the error and corrects it, request an updated copy of your report to verify the correction. If the bureau upholds the original entry and you believe the error is genuine, you can escalate by adding a consumer statement to your report, filing a complaint with the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, or contacting the original creditor directly.
Important: If you filed a dispute and received a correction, check both bureaus — a correction at Equifax does not automatically update your TransUnion file. You may need to file the same dispute separately at each bureau.
Why Check Your Credit Before Applying for a Car Loan?
Checking your credit before applying lets you correct errors, understand what lenders will see, and avoid surprises that could slow down or complicate your approval.
Know Your Starting Point
When you know your credit score before applying, you can set accurate expectations about the lender tier and rate range you are likely to qualify for. A 640 score with one collection versus a 640 score with a clean file and low utilization are different situations — the report tells the story behind the number.
Fix Errors Before the Lender Sees Them
If you find an error that is suppressing your score, disputing it before you apply gives you time for the correction to process. A 30-point correction from fixing a disputed late payment record can mean the difference between a subprime rate and a near-prime rate — a gap that translates to hundreds of dollars in monthly payments over the life of a loan.
Avoid Being Caught Off Guard
Discovering mid-application that there is a collection on your file you were unaware of is stressful and can delay the process. Knowing what is on your report before you apply means you can address it proactively — or at least explain it clearly when asked. Lenders respond better to applicants who understand their own credit situation.
Detect Identity Theft Before It Costs You More
Fraudulent accounts opened in your name show up on your credit report. If you have not checked in years, a fraudulent account could have been damaging your score and your financial standing without your knowledge. Early detection gives you the best chance of resolving the issue before it compounds.
Free Credit Check FAQs
How can I check my credit score for free in Canada?
Both Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada offer a free credit report once per year, available directly through their official websites. Equifax provides free online access to your report and score at equifax.ca. TransUnion allows you to request a free annual report by mail, phone, or online through their official site. Checking your own report is a soft inquiry and does not affect your score.
Which free credit monitoring services are most accurate in Canada?
The most reliable free options for Canadians are Borrowell (pulls Equifax data) and Credit Karma (pulls TransUnion data). Using both gives you visibility into both bureau files, which matters because different lenders pull different bureaus. The scores shown on these apps are based on bureau data but may use slightly different scoring models than what a specific lender sees — so treat them as directional indicators, not the exact number a lender will use. The official reports from Equifax and TransUnion directly are the most authoritative source.
What is the difference between a credit report and a credit score?
A credit report is the detailed record of your credit history — every account, payment, inquiry, and public record. A credit score is a three-digit number calculated from the information in your report. Your report is the raw data; your score is a summary calculated from it. When reviewing your credit, you want both: the score tells you where you stand, and the report tells you why.
How do I dispute an error on my Canadian credit report?
File a dispute directly with the bureau that has the error — Equifax or TransUnion or both if the error appears on both files. You can dispute online through each bureau's official website, by mail, or by phone. Include your name, address, the specific item you believe is inaccurate, and any supporting documentation. Bureaus are required to investigate and respond, typically within 30 days. If your dispute is validated, the item is corrected or removed.
How often should I check my credit report?
At minimum, check your credit report once per year from each bureau. Before applying for any major credit — a car loan, mortgage, or line of credit — check your report first so you have time to identify and dispute errors before a lender sees them. Checking more frequently is reasonable if you are actively rebuilding credit or if you have concerns about identity theft.
Why does my credit score differ between Equifax and TransUnion?
Your scores differ because not all lenders report to both bureaus. If a creditor only reports to Equifax, TransUnion will not have that account on file, and vice versa. The two bureaus also use different scoring models with slightly different weighting. Score differences of 20-50 points between bureaus are common and normal. Check both reports to get a complete picture before applying for financing.
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