Every Canadian has the right to dispute inaccurate information on their credit report. Here is exactly how to do it with both Equifax and TransUnion.
Step 1: Get Your Credit Reports
Before you can dispute anything, you need to know what's on your reports. You are entitled to one free credit report per year from each bureau.
Equifax: equifax.ca/en/personal/credit-report-services/ TransUnion: transunion.ca/fr/personal-credit/credit-report
Note that the free annual report does not include your score. For your score, use Borrowell (Equifax) or Credit Karma (TransUnion), both of which are free.
Step 2: Identify Errors
Review every account on both reports. Look for: accounts you don't recognize, incorrect personal information (name, address, SIN), wrong account balances or limits, late payments that were actually on time, closed accounts showing as open, duplicate accounts, and collections you don't owe.
Step 3: Gather Evidence
For each error you find, gather supporting documents. This might include bank statements showing on-time payments, letters from creditors, court documents showing a debt was discharged, or identity documents if there is an identity issue.
Step 4: File a Dispute
With Equifax: Log into your Equifax account and use their online dispute center, or mail a written dispute to Equifax Canada Co., Box 190 Jean Talon Station, Montreal, QC H1S 2Z2.
With TransUnion: Log into your TransUnion account and use their online dispute form, or mail a written dispute to TransUnion of Canada, P.O. Box 338 LCD1, Hamilton, ON L8L 7W2.
In your dispute, clearly identify the item you are disputing, explain why it is incorrect, and include copies (not originals) of supporting documents.
Step 5: Wait for the Investigation
The credit bureau has 30 days to investigate your dispute. They contact the lender or collection agency that reported the item and ask them to verify it. If the lender cannot verify the information, the bureau must correct or remove it.
Step 6: Review the Result
You will receive a written response to your dispute. If the item was corrected or removed, review your updated report to confirm. If your dispute was rejected, you have options: provide additional evidence and re-dispute, escalate to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, or file a complaint with your provincial consumer protection office.
When to Get Help
Disputing a single straightforward error is something most people can do themselves. But if you have multiple items to dispute, complex situations like identity theft or post-consumer proposal cleanup, or if your disputes keep getting rejected, professional credit repair can help. We know how to build effective disputes and follow up properly.