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Errors on your credit report, like an account you don't recognize or a late payment you didn't make, can hurt your score and your chances of getting credit. In Canada, you can dispute errors for free with Equifax and TransUnion. Here's how to find errors, file a dispute, and follow up until it's fixed.
Key takeaways
- Find the error: check names, addresses, accounts and late payments.
- File a dispute using the bureau's online form or mail, with supporting documents. It's free.
- Equifax says online disputes take about 15 to 20 days and mailed ones about 20 to 25 days. TransUnion investigations take about 30 days.
- Follow up: keep copies and check that the correction appears.
Find the error
Check names, addresses, accounts and late payments. Get your reports from both bureaus, since each keeps a separate file.
What to look for
| Section | Common errors |
|---|---|
| Personal information | Misspelled name, wrong address or date of birth |
| Accounts | Accounts you didn't open, wrong limits or balances |
| Payment history | Late payments you didn't make |
| Collections | Debts that are paid, not yours, or too old |
| Inquiries | Credit checks you didn't authorize |
An account you don't recognize could mean identity theft. Contact the lender and the bureau immediately, and consider adding a fraud alert to your file.
File a dispute
Use the bureau's online form or mail, with supporting documents.
Step by step
- Get your credit report from the bureau showing the error.
- Gather evidence, such as statements, payment confirmations or letters from the lender.
- Go to the bureau's website and find its dispute process (Equifax and TransUnion both offer online disputes).
- Identify the item, explain why it's wrong, and upload your documents.
- Submit and keep your confirmation number.
- Consider contacting the lender directly as well, since it reported the information.
How long it takes
Equifax says online disputes typically take 15 to 20 days and mailed disputes 20 to 25 days. TransUnion says investigations generally take about 30 days. The bureau contacts the lender, which must confirm or correct the information.
Follow up
Keep copies and check that the correction appears. After the investigation, the bureau will tell you the outcome. Get an updated report to confirm the fix, and check the other bureau too, since a correction at one doesn't automatically update the other.
If the dispute isn't resolved
- Contact the lender with your evidence and ask it to correct its reporting.
- Add a consumer statement to your file explaining your side. Lenders who check your report can see it.
- Complain to your provincial consumer protection office, since credit bureaus are regulated provincially.
- If the lender is a federally regulated financial institution, you can follow its complaint process and escalate to the FCAC or an external complaints body.
What can't be removed
Accurate negative information, like a real late payment, can't be disputed away. It stays for a set time and fades in impact. See how long late payments stay on your report.
Beware of credit repair companies
Disputing errors is free. Be cautious of companies charging to "remove" negative items. They can't remove accurate information, and you can dispute errors yourself.
Check regularly
Free tools let you monitor both bureaus: Borrowell for Equifax and Credit Karma for TransUnion. Checking your own report doesn't affect your score. See Equifax vs TransUnion.
Keep good records
Save all letters, emails and confirmation numbers. Note dates and the names of people you spoke to. Good records help if you need to escalate.
Why both bureaus matter
Lenders may check either bureau, so an error on one file can affect some applications and not others. Check both before applying for a mortgage or car loan.
Sample dispute explanation
Keep your explanation short and factual. For example: "The late payment reported for my Visa account in March 2026 is incorrect. I paid the full balance on March 2, before the due date of March 5. Attached is my bank statement showing the payment." Include the account name, the date of the error, what's wrong and what the correct information should be.
Identity theft and fraud
If an error is caused by fraud, such as an account opened in your name, act quickly. Report it to the lender and both credit bureaus, and ask for a fraud alert on your files. Report identity theft to your local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Keep your police report number, as lenders and bureaus may ask for it.
Before a big application
If you plan to apply for a mortgage or car loan, check both reports a few months in advance. Disputes take weeks, and fixing errors first can give you a clearer picture of where you stand.
Frequently asked questions
How do I dispute an error on my credit report in Canada?
Use Equifax's or TransUnion's online dispute form, or mail a dispute with supporting documents. It's free.
How long does a credit report dispute take?
Equifax says online disputes take about 15 to 20 days and mailed ones 20 to 25 days. TransUnion investigations take about 30 days.
Does disputing an error hurt my credit score?
No. Filing a dispute doesn't affect your score. If the error is corrected, your score may improve.
What if the bureau doesn't fix the error?
Contact the lender, add a consumer statement to your file, or complain to your provincial consumer protection office.
Sources
Official sources this article relies on, checked October 15, 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm details at the source.