How to check your credit score in Canada

This article has been updated from a previous version.

Your Canadian credit score can make a big impact on your life, whether it’s to get a phone, apartment rental, or mortgage. In Canada, you can check your credit score by visiting either of our two credit reporting agencies: TransUnion Canada and Equifax. Both offer free credit reporting as well paid subscriptions for ongoing credit monitoring. 

Understanding your credit score and credit report will give you a window into your full credit history and how it's affecting you.

Check out our guide below on the difference between a credit score and a credit reports, why you might need ongoing report monitoring, and how to make the right choice how to fix an error on your credit report. 

What’s the difference between my credit score and a credit report?

While they’re often confused, your credit score and credit report serve different purposes:

Credit report 

This is a detailed record of your credit activity over the last 6 years. It includes information about loans, bill payment history, credit utilization, and any recent inquiries.  

Each account in your report will have an "R rating," which reflects how promptly payments are made. For example, an "R1" indicates that payments are made within 30 days as agreed, whereas an "R9" reflects bad debt.

Credit score: This is a three-digit number ranging from 300 to 900, calculated using data from your credit report. A higher score means better creditworthiness.  

Typically, scores below 650 can make it challenging to obtain new credit, while higher scores demonstrate financial reliability. Payment history, outstanding debt, and recent credit inquiries are just a few factors influencing your score.

Learn more: Should you accept that pre-approved credit limit increase? 

How to check your credit score and report in 2025

Canadians have several options for accessing their credit information, including free and paid services.  

Equifax

You can now access your Equifax credit report online for free monthly by visiting Equifax’s free credit report page.

If you prefer a physical copy, you can request one by mail or in person. Free access requires completing a request form and providing two pieces of ID. Expected delivery is within 5-10 days.

Equifax enhanced subscription options

• Complete premier: ($24.95/month): Includes credit monitoring, credit score trending, identity theft protection, and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance.
• Complete protection: Alongside the basics of credit monitoring and identity theft protection, it also includes advanced features like social media monitoring and parental controls. This will cost you $34.95 each month with no cancellation fees.

TransUnion Canada

Like Equifax, TransUnion provides a free online consumer disclosure (credit report), updated monthly.

You can also request your report by mail or phone or acquire it in person by visiting a TransUnion location with the required identification. To access, visit the TransUnion consumer disclosure.

Read more: Why do I get different credit scores from different websites in Canada?

TransUnion paid credit monitoring  

This subscription service, costing you $24.95/monthly, provides access to your credit report and score, alerts for any changes to your credit information, and identity theft insurance coverage up to $1 million.  

It’s tailored for Canadians who want to proactively monitor their credit, protect themselves from potential fraud, and receive timely notifications about any suspicious activity or updates that could impact their financial health.

Additionally, third-party platforms like Credit Karma offer free credit scores powered by information from TransUnion. However, keep in mind that these services may require you to sign up for promotional offers or memberships.

Related: Is credit card balance protection worth it?

Is it safe to use free credit check companies?

Both Equifax and TransUnion are international companies with strong reputations, and they are known to be completely safe to use. Ordering these services won't affect your credit score and report.

The danger lies in using companies that don’t offer you the guarantee of privacy.  

To access your credit report, you may need to provide sensitive details like your Social Insurance Number. If mishandled, this information could lead to identity theft. Always review the privacy policies of any company before sharing your personal data.

Credit bureaus use their own unique algorithms to calculate your score, which means your score might vary between them. They may also collect slightly different information about you. Plus, different lenders might rely on one bureau over another when assessing your creditworthiness.

What to do if there is an error on your credit report

Nearly 44% of credit reports may contain errors, with 27% of these potentially preventing access to financial products like mortgages.

These issues can arise due to things like shared names or clerical errors. If you notice a mistake, you have the right to dispute it directly with the credit bureau.

To correct an error, contact the bureau (Equifax or TransUnion) providing detailed documentation, such as statements or contracts supporting your claim. Most disputes are resolved within 30 days, and if the error isn’t corrected, you can request a note be added to your file explaining the situation.

Regularly checking your credit report allows you to catch inaccuracies early, which can help avoid unnecessary impacts on your credit score and financial plans. Maintaining accuracy and making informed choices with your credit products are key to achieving long-term financial health.

Read next: How to use rent payments to build your credit score in Canada?