Printable credit health checklist + dispute letter pack
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A printable kit: a report review checklist for Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada, a fill-in dispute letter, a utilization worksheet and a tracker for disputes and scores.
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Disclosure: Some links are sponsored. If you try a sponsored offer from this page, we may earn a commission. We're not affiliated with the FCAC, Equifax or TransUnion. This is general information, not financial advice. Sources checked November 12, 2026.
Last reviewed: by the Smart Savings Guides editorial team. How we research and update articles.
In Canada, a credit inquiry by a lender stays on your Equifax report for 3 years and on your TransUnion report for 6 years, according to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC). Equifax Canada says its inquiries purge automatically three years from the date of the inquiry. Checking your own credit report or score doesn't affect your score.
Key takeaways
- Equifax: 3 years from the inquiry date.
- TransUnion: 6 years, per the FCAC.
- Your own checks don't hurt your score.
- What matters: how often you apply for new credit.
The timelines side by side
| Credit bureau | How long lender inquiries stay | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Equifax Canada | 3 years from the date of the inquiry | FCAC and Equifax |
| TransUnion Canada | 6 years | FCAC |
The FCAC's report basics page describes reports as showing lender inquiries from the last three years, so check your own TransUnion report to see exactly what it lists.
Which checks count?
- Applying for credit (a card, loan, line of credit or mortgage) lets the lender check your report, which creates an inquiry.
- Checking your own report or score, including through free apps, doesn't affect your score, the FCAC says.
- Others who may check include phone and internet providers, landlords, insurers and employers.
In most provinces a business needs your consent to check your credit. The FCAC says that in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan they only need to tell you.
Does an inquiry hurt your score?
The FCAC lists how often you apply for new credit as one of the factors that affect your score, but bureaus don't publish exact formulas or point values. So the practical rule is simple: the fewer applications you make, the fewer inquiries lenders see.
How to keep inquiries down
- Apply only for credit you actually need.
- Space out applications rather than applying to several lenders at once.
- Check your own score first; see how to check your credit score in Canada for free.
- If you see an inquiry you didn't authorize, dispute it and watch for identity theft; see how to dispute a credit report error.
For the bigger picture, our guide to improving your credit score covers payment history and utilization, and Equifax vs TransUnion explains why your two scores differ.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a hard inquiry stay on your credit report in Canada?
The FCAC says credit inquiries by lenders stay 3 years with Equifax and 6 years with TransUnion.
Does checking my own credit score lower it?
No. The FCAC says checking your own credit report or score doesn't affect your credit score.
Can I remove a hard inquiry from my credit report?
A legitimate inquiry stays until it ages off. If you don't recognize an inquiry, contact the credit bureau to dispute it and check for signs of identity theft.
Who can check my credit in Canada?
Lenders, card companies, phone and internet providers, utilities, insurers, landlords and employers may ask. In most provinces they need your consent first.
Sources
Official sources this article relies on, checked November 12, 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm details at the source.
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