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 don't partner with any credit bureau or bank. Facts come from the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC), checked October 29, 2026.
Last reviewed: by the Smart Savings Guides editorial team. How we research and update articles.
You can check your credit score for free in Canada directly from the credit bureaus: Equifax offers a free score online in every province and territory, and TransUnion includes a free score with its online report if you live in Quebec or Ontario. Both bureaus also give you your full credit report for free, online, by phone or by mail. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) says checking your own report or score won't affect your credit rating.
Key takeaways
- Equifax: free credit score online in all provinces and territories, plus a free report.
- TransUnion: free report (its "Consumer Disclosure") everywhere; the score is free only in Quebec and Ontario.
- No harm: checking your own report or score doesn't lower it.
- Offline options: request a free report by phone or mail, or in person at a bureau office in some provinces.
Your free options at a glance
| Equifax | TransUnion | |
|---|---|---|
| Free credit report online | Yes | Yes (Consumer Disclosure) |
| Free credit score online | Yes, in all provinces and territories | Only in Quebec and Ontario |
| By phone | 1-800-465-7166 | 1-800-663-9980 |
| Free non-electronic score (phone or mail) | Yes | Quebec and Ontario only |
How to get your free score online
- Go to the bureau's own website from the FCAC's page (linked in our sources), so you don't land on a look-alike site.
- Create an account and answer the identity questions.
- Download or print your report and note your score. The FCAC says bureaus update scores at least once a month.
- Repeat with the other bureau. Lenders may check either one, and the two files can differ; see Equifax vs TransUnion.
Getting it by phone, mail or in person
- By phone: call Equifax Canada at 1-800-465-7166 or TransUnion Canada at 1-800-663-9980, answer the identity questions and follow the instructions.
- By mail: fill in the bureau's request form and send it with photocopies of two valid pieces of ID.
- In person: in some provinces and territories you can ask at an Equifax or TransUnion office with at least two pieces of ID.
Free score apps and your bank
The FCAC notes that other companies also offer free scores, and that some federally regulated banks show a free score in their banking app. Some services ask you to sign up for a paid product to see your score, so read the terms first. Two popular free services are compared in Borrowell vs Credit Karma.
Protect yourself from fake "free score" offers
The FCAC warns that fraudsters pretend to offer free credit reports or scores to steal personal information. Before you sign up anywhere, research the company, read its terms and privacy policy, check whether it sells your data to third parties, and make sure the site address starts with https.
What to do with your score
Look at the report behind it, not just the number. If you spot an error, you can fix it for free: see how to dispute a credit report error. To understand where you stand, read what is a good credit score in Canada? and how to improve your credit score.
Free: 10 checks before you apply for a credit-builder in Canada
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Frequently asked questions
Can I check my credit score for free in Canada?
Yes. Equifax offers a free credit score online in every province and territory. TransUnion's free score is available online only to residents of Quebec and Ontario, with its free report.
Does checking my credit score lower it?
No. The FCAC says checking your own credit report or score won't affect your credit rating.
How often is my credit score updated?
The FCAC says credit bureaus update your score at least once a month, and that the free online reports show information updated every month.
Can I get my credit report by mail?
Yes. Fill in the bureau's request form and mail it with photocopies of two valid pieces of ID, or call Equifax (1-800-465-7166) or TransUnion (1-800-663-9980).
Sources
Official sources this article relies on, checked October 29, 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm details at the source.
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