When was the last time you checked your credit report? Many consumers don’t know they have the ability to request a free (written) copy of their credit report. In today’s blog post, we’re going to show you how to do this!
In Canada, there are two credit reporting agencies: TransUnion and Equifax. Below are the step-by-step instructions on how to request a free copy of your credit report. It is important to know that there may be a cost for requesting an electronic copy of your credit report or to get access to your credit score. In order to verify your identity, you will need to provide copies of two pieces of I.D. with your request.
How to get a free credit report from TransUnion
- Go to this page on TransUnion’s website.
- Choose how you want to make your request: by mail, in-person (note there are currently no offices in BC) or by phone.
- Submit your request and you’ll receive a mailed copy of your credit report.
How to get a free credit report from Equifax:
- Go to this page on Equifax’s website.
- Fill out the form (if you don’t want to purchase your credit score, don’t fill in the payment information at the bottom).
- Submit your request and you’ll receive a mailed copy of your credit report.
A few credit reporting tips:
- Check information from both agencies. It’s a good idea to check your credit reports from both agencies, TransUnion and Equifax, as the information on each of your two credit reports can be different.
- Review them often. Request a copy of your credit report each year and ensure the information is correct. It may also be a good idea to check the report if you think you have been a victim of identity theft to ensure that new credit has not been opened in your name.
- Know your credit reporting rights. By law, only people that you’ve given permission to are allowed to see your credit report. Also, you can provide a 100-word explanation on your credit report that provides an explanation or context about the information on your credit report.
Consumer Protection BC is responsible for regulating credit reporting agencies with respect to what may be included in a credit report and who can see it. For more information and tips about credit reporting, and who to speak to if you have questions, please read through the credit reporting section of our website.
Hi Cindy — Thanks for your comment. If you have concerns about the use of your private information, you can direct your questions to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia. Here is a link to their website: https://www.oipc.bc.ca/
i have a serious issue with the fact that i must provide two pieces of identification to a business that i never authorized to collect data on my private life in the first place. how do i know that this private corporation will uphold privacy laws and not use my information for purposes other than identification. also, why should i have to go through the trouble of mailing etc to them to get my credit report. it should be free and instantly available on my request as i am the name holder. i shouldn’t have to wait weeks for a reply.
I take issue with the fact that I have to send copies of my ID by mail. The chance of it being stolen, and misused is far greater than entering it on a secure internet connection, at least in my opinion.
I agree with Cindy and Gary. Question for Consumer Protection BC: when will we catch up to the US in terms of personal rights regarding credit agencies like Equifax and Transunion? Thanks.
Hi Alan, If you have concerns about privacy and how your personal information is handled by the credit reporting agencies, you may want to contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. This is a BC based agency and their contact information is listed on this page of their website.
Neither Equivax nor Transunion comply with privacy laws in Canada. Their websites confirm their status as US based firms, not subject to Canadian Privacy laws. These monopolies send our data to the US where it is at risk.
The Equifax Canada website states: “Equifax Consumer Services LLC (“ECS LLC”) is an affiliate of Equifax Canada that operates in the United States to deliver the online credit report, score and monitoring products described within the “Personal” section of this website.
When you order an Equifax personal product online, you are providing your personal data and consent to ECS LLC, which collects your credit information from Equifax Canada to provide you with the personal products that you have ordered. ECS LLC stores data in the United States. Please read the Equifax Consumer Services section for more information. ”
By definition, this disclosure confirms that Equifax Canada knowingly violates Canadian privacy laws by sending personal information to the United States, which does not have laws to protect the integrity of Canadian citizen’s data. Equifax was hacked and Canadian’s information was lost.
How can Consumer Protection Branch pretend to regulate these US-owned monopolies while they openly flaunt their disregard for Canadian Law? No need to pass the buck to the BC Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. As regulator, Consumer Protection Branch has a legal duty to protect BC consumers.