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.
Ad / affiliate disclosure: every link in this box is sponsored. We may earn a commission if you use one, at no extra cost to you. The full guide starts below.
Disclosure: Some links are sponsored. If you try a sponsored offer from this page, we may earn a commission. We're not affiliated with Credit Karma, Intuit or TransUnion. This is general information, not financial advice. Sources checked November 5, 2026.
Last reviewed: by the Smart Savings Guides editorial team. How we research and update articles.
Yes, Credit Karma Canada is legitimate: it's an Intuit Credit Karma service that gives you a free TransUnion credit report and TransUnion CreditVision Risk Score on a 300–900 scale. Checking your own score through Credit Karma is a soft inquiry and does not lower your score. It makes money by recommending financial products; a "pre-qualified" offer is not an approval, and applying can still trigger a hard inquiry.
Key takeaways
- Bureau: TransUnion only (not Equifax) on Credit Karma Canada.
- Score: TransUnion CreditVision Risk Score, 300–900, using trended data.
- Cost: free to view your score and report.
- Soft check: viewing your own Credit Karma score doesn't hurt your credit.
What you get
- A TransUnion Canada credit report view and CreditVision Risk Score.
- Monitoring-style alerts when Credit Karma says something important changed on that file.
- Educational tips (for example TransUnion's guidance to keep utilization under 35%).
Canada has two main bureaus. Lenders may check Equifax, TransUnion or both, so your Credit Karma number can differ from a Borrowell (Equifax) score — that's normal. Compare them in Borrowell vs Credit Karma Canada and Equifax vs TransUnion.
How it stays free
Like other free score apps, Credit Karma shows partner cards and loans. Use those offers only if you already planned to apply. For a bureau copy without an app, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada explains how to order your free Equifax and TransUnion reports. Start with how to check your credit score in Canada for free.
Safety habits
- Create the account yourself on creditkarma.ca — don't hand your login to anyone who messages you first.
- Review the report for accounts you don't recognize; dispute errors with TransUnion (see dispute a credit report error).
- Treat score "boost" promises from strangers as red flags.
Free: 10 checks before you apply for a credit-builder in Canada
A printable checklist to compare secured cards and other starter credit products in Canada before you apply. Join our email list and it opens right away.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Credit Karma safe to use in Canada?
Credit Karma Canada is a widely used Intuit service that pulls your TransUnion file. Use the official site, protect your login, and remember product offers are optional.
Which credit bureau does Credit Karma Canada use?
TransUnion. The score shown is the TransUnion CreditVision Risk Score. For Equifax, use Borrowell or order from Equifax directly.
Does Credit Karma Canada lower your score?
No. Credit Karma says checking your own score on the service is a soft inquiry and does not negatively impact your scores.
Is Credit Karma Canada really free?
Yes to view your TransUnion score and report. Credit Karma earns referral fees when you take partner product offers.
Sources
Official sources this article relies on, checked November 5, 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm details at the source.
Optional bonus: Want our printable Canadian credit-check checklist? It's an optional bonus that unlocks after you try one sponsored offer, and we earn a commission if you do. Unlock the credit checklist + letter pack (sponsored). Or keep reading: the main guide is free either way.