Credit scores
How to Dispute an Error on Your Credit Report in Canada
How to find and fix a mistake on your Equifax or TransUnion credit report in Canada: getting your free reports, filing a dispute online, by phone or by mail, how long it takes, and what to do if it isn’t fixed.
How do I dispute an error on my credit report?
Get your reports, find the error, file a dispute with each bureau that shows it, and contact the lender that reported it. Keep copies of everything.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Get both reports | Request your free credit reports from Equifax and TransUnion; an error can appear on one and not the other |
| 2. Identify the error | Wrong personal details, accounts that aren’t yours, payments marked late that weren’t, closed accounts shown open, duplicate debts |
| 3. Dispute with the bureau | Equifax: dispute form by email or mail. TransUnion: online, by phone or by mail with its investigation form |
| 4. Contact the lender | Ask the business that reported the information to correct it and notify the bureaus |
| 5. Follow up | Check both reports after the investigation and keep copies of letters and documents |
What do I need to file a dispute?
Your full name, current address (and previous address if you moved in the last 2 years), date of birth, the account or company you’re disputing as it appears on the report, and why it’s wrong. Add copies, never originals, of documents that prove it, such as statements or a paid-in-full letter.
How long does a credit report dispute take?
TransUnion says investigations are typically concluded within 30 days of receiving your request. The bureau contacts the lender to verify the information; if it can’t be confirmed or is wrong, it’s corrected or removed. Avoid applying for new credit while the dispute is open.
If your report is changed, TransUnion notifies companies that recently checked your file that it was amended.
What if the bureau won’t fix it?
If the lender confirms the information, it stays. You can add a short statement to your file explaining your side (TransUnion allows up to 100 words), keep pursuing the lender with evidence, and, if you’ve proven an error that still isn’t fixed, complain to your provincial consumer protection office.
Should I pay a credit repair company?
No. Disputes with Equifax and TransUnion are free, and a credit repair company can’t get accurate information removed or get a different result than you would yourself. Accurate negative information only fades with time.
Late payments and most other negative information can stay on your report for up to 6 years.
What if the error is identity fraud?
Contact both Equifax and TransUnion to report it and ask about adding a fraud alert, contact the lender of any account you didn’t open, and report it to the police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Keep reading
Credit scoresWhy Did My Credit Score Drop? 7 Common Reasons in CanadaThe seven usual reasons a Canadian credit score falls, from a higher card balance to a missed payment or an error on your report, and what to do about each.
Credit scoresEquifax vs TransUnion: Why Your Credit Scores Differ in CanadaCanada has two credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion, and your score is often different at each. Why that happens, which one lenders use, and how to check both for free.- Credit scoresWhat Is a Good Credit Score in Canada?Canadian credit score ranges explained (300 to 900), what lenders consider good, and how long information stays on your Equifax and TransUnion reports.
- Credit scoresHow to Improve Your Credit Score in CanadaNine steps that raise a Canadian credit score, in order of impact, with how long each takes to show up.
Official sources and further reading
- Equifax Canada: how to dispute your credit report ↗
- TransUnion Canada: credit report disputes ↗
- TransUnion Canada: frequently asked questions ↗
- FCAC: how long information stays on your credit report ↗
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