In Canada, you can access your credit report for free in a number of ways. Equifax and TransUnion, the two credit reporting companies, each offer a free credit report once a year.

Option 1: Access Your Credit Report Online.

Your credit report is now free to access online with Equifax and TransUnion. Go to their website and follow the instructions.

Option 2: Access Your Free Credit Report by Phone

Calling the toll-free numbers for each of the reporting companies is the second fastest way to get a free copy of your credit report. In order to verify your identity when you call these numbers, a computer will question you about some of your personal data. A copy of your credit report will then be mailed to you by the automated system. Your credit report may take up to 3 weeks to arrive by mail. You can call the following numbers to get your free credit report:

1-800-465-7166 for Equifax (Automated Telephone Service)

1-800-663-9980 for TransUnion (Automated Telephone Service)

What to Do If Your Request for a Credit Report Is Rejected

The automated telephone service will decline your request and not send you a copy of your credit report if you enter information incorrectly or if it does not exactly match the credit agency’s records. If this occurs to you, don’t freak out and think there’s something wrong with your credit bureau. Try the subsequent option as an alternative.

Option 3: Fill out a form to get a free credit report

Filling out an Equifax form or a TransUnion form will allow you to request a free copy of your credit report. After that, Equifax or TransUnion will mail you a free credit report if you send the completed forms to them.

When your credit report is mailed to you for any of the aforementioned options, certain identifying and personally identifiable information will be censored. If it’s your own report, you have access to sufficient details to understand what’s happening. There isn’t enough information in your report for it to compromise your identity if someone were to receive it by mistake or steal it from the mail.

Option 4: Pay for a copy of your credit report 

If you prefer not to wait for your credit report to be mailed to you, you can pay to get an instant copy by going to either Equifax or TransUnion.

Both websites charge a fee for immediate access to your credit report. If you intend to apply for credit and believe your credit isn’t as strong as it could be, you might want to pay to get your credit score.

Accurately Reading and Correcting Your Credit Report

When you obtain a copy of your credit report, it will come with explanations that will make it easier for you to comprehend its specifics. It should also explain to you how to correct errors or dispute information that you believe to be false.

Conclusion 

After getting your credit report, you discover it is bad. No need to panic. Your credit report may be bad due to a variety of reasons like maxing out credit, late payments or missed payments etc. Having a bad credit score could affect your ability to obtain credit now and in the future.  In order to help you preserve your sanity, our debt experts at EmpireOne Credit are here to help you get rid of all unsecured debts, stop all interest and become debt free, and rebuild your credit for the financial freedom you deserve. We offer a free and friendly consultation. Get in touch with us today to get started.