Obtaining a Credit check in Canada

Credit Reports in Canada

In Canada you have full and legal access to information lenders see in your credit report and use to determine your credit worthiness. Just to keep things clear, different words are often used to refer to a credit report. Most typically the expressions are "credit file", "credit report", "consumer credit report", "consumer credit file" or "credit profile" and are used interchangeably to refer to the information contained in your credit history file.

Agencies such as Equifax will generally use only two terms ("credit file"- referring to the active file in Equifax's database about you, and "credit report" which refers to the copy of that file provided to the consumer.

You may obtain a copy of your credit report, plus credit score, and a score analysis on-line in Canada for a nominal fee. Equifax Consumer Services Canada (www.econsumer.equifax.ca) can provide on-line, real-time access to your credit information. You will be required to provide personal information during the order process so Equifax can verify your identity and immediately deliver your credit report. The information collected online may be used later to provide relevant notifications and special information to you.

To obtain your credit report, either download a copy of the request form provided below or you can call either of the two largest Canadian credit reporting agencies;

Equifax Canada Inc.1 800 465 7166 or
Trans Union of Canada 1 800 663 9980.

Once you have placed your request, the credit reporting agency will then mail your report to you. It is recommended that you get your report from both agencies to ensure accuracy.

Download PDF Forms to study and use

An individual or company may only obtain a copy of your credit file with your consent or after having told you that they will be reviewing your file. A company must have a legitimate business reason and a permissible purpose, as stated in government regulations, to obtain your credit file.

When you apply for a loan or credit card you are usually asked to complete and sign an application form. An application normally includes written consent that gives permission to the credit grantor to check your credit file when you first apply and for as long as the account is open. In addition to your name, an application often asks for your date of birth, your address and a previous address if you've recently moved - all of which helps to locate your credit file at a credit reporting agency.

Each time a member of the credit bureau requests your file, the request is noted on your file as an inquiry. You can therefore see a complete record of who has requested your credit file and when.

A credit reporting agency may only provide a copy of your file when the request relates to the extension of credit, collection of a debt, housing rental, an application for employment or for insurance purposes. Since your credit file contains only factual information, it is important to remember that each of the companies requesting your credit file will interpret those facts in its own way to arrive at a decision.

For more information on Credit Checks in Canada or to choose from related information, choose from the following:

Reports | Monitoring | Scores | 3-in-1 | Debt Help

Last Updated: 01-Sep-2008