Your credit report is the record behind your credit score. It lists your accounts, balances, payment history and anyone who has checked your credit. Mistakes on it can cost you an approval or a better rate, and you won’t know they’re there unless you look.
The good news: in Canada you can get your credit report from both national bureaus for free, and checking it has no effect on your score.
The two credit bureaus in Canada
Canada has two national credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion. Lenders report to one or both, so your two reports may not match exactly. It’s worth checking both.
How to get your free credit report
Getting your reports, step by step
Go online to each bureau
Both Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada let you create a free account and view or download your report online. The reports are updated monthly.
Verify your identity
You’ll answer questions about your credit history to prove it’s you. Have a recent statement handy.
Or request it by mail or phone
Prefer paper? Each bureau accepts requests by mail with copies of two pieces of ID, or by phone after identity verification.
Save a copy
Download or print the report so you can compare it next time and track disputes.
What to look for on your report
- Personal details: name, addresses, date of birth and employer. Outdated details are common; unfamiliar ones can signal fraud.
- Accounts: every card, loan and line of credit should be yours, with the correct limits and balances.
- Payment history: look for late payments you don’t recognize.
- Collections and public records: check that anything listed is accurate and hasn’t outstayed its time on your file.
- Inquiries: hard inquiries from lenders you never applied to can be a sign of identity theft.
How long information stays on your report
How long information stays on your Equifax report
| Item | How long it stays |
|---|---|
| Late payments | Up to 6 years from the date reported |
| Collections | 6 years from the date of first delinquency |
| Hard inquiries | 3 years |
| Consumer proposal | 3 years after it’s paid off, or 6 years from filing, whichever comes first |
| First bankruptcy | 6 years after discharge |
| Second bankruptcy | 14 years after discharge |
| Closed accounts in good standing | Up to 6 years after closing |
How to fix an error
If something is wrong, file a dispute directly with the bureau that shows the error, online or by mail, and include any documents that support your case. The bureau will check with the lender that reported the information. If the lender confirms the mistake, it gets corrected. If the dispute doesn’t resolve it, you can ask the bureau to add a short consumer statement to your file explaining your side.
This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Bureau services and timelines can change; confirm details with Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada. Last reviewed September 2026.