Finances & Real Estate Getting a free credit report in Canada from Equifax and Transunion

The two major credit bureaus in Canada are Equifax and Transunion, it's a good idea to request both because companies will often use one or the other.

The fastest way I found to get a free credit report is through their automated telephone services. They do request a lot of information on the phone in order to confirm your identity, but it's all automated so it's not excessively troublesome. You do not get your credit score though, just a report of credit activities. It's good for checking for identity theft and errors that could harm your credit score.

I hear sometimes you are requested to send in documents proving your identity, but I haven't had to go through the process.

• Equifax - 1 (800) 465-7166
• Transunion - 1 (800) 663-9980

You can also fill out and mail an online form, but my experience has been that the phone system is quicker (plus you save on stamps):

• Equifax: http://www.equifax.com/ecm/canada/EFXCreditReportRequestForm.pdf
• Transunion: http://www.transunion.ca/docs/personal/Consumer_Disclosure_Request_Form_en.pdf