A credit report is a “snapshot” of your credit history. This credit information allows financial institutions and lenders to measure your level of financial risk and assess your creditworthiness.

A credit score is based on various things such as past and current level of debt, debt repayment or bill payment habits, etc. There is no standard model for a consumer credit score in Canada; credit reporting agencies and other businesses use their own formulas to assess creditworthiness. The only way to fix bad credit is with good credit practices over time.

Tip: How to improve your credit score

  • In Canada, credit scores range from 300 to 900 points—with 900 being the best score.
  • Always make your payments on time. If you cannot pay the full amount, make at least the minimum payment.
  • If you think you will have trouble paying a bill, contact the lender right away. See if you can work out a special arrangement to repay your debt.
  • Be wary of people who claim they can instantly fix your credit score.

How to Find your Credit Report

You should check your credit report every year to make sure that it is accurate. You can get a copy of your personal credit report from either Equifax or TransUnion. There are different ways of getting a credit report. For example, immediate online access to a credit report (and credit score) is available for a price, or you can ask for a free copy of your credit report by mail, by phone, or—in some areas—in person.

To order a free credit report from the main national credit reporting agencies, call the following numbers:

Learning More about Credit Reporting

Credit reporting and credit reporting agencies are regulated by provincial and territorial governments. For more information, contact your provincial or territorial consumer affairs office.

Credit Reporting Agencies

TransUnion Canada

Consumer Relations
709 Main Street West
PO Box 338
LCD 1

Hamilton, Ontario  L8L 7W2

Telephone: 905-525-0262
Toll Free: 1-800-663-9980

TransUnion Canada

Consumer Relations [For Quebec Residents]
Suite 370
1 Place Laval West

Laval, Quebec  H7N 1A1

Telephone: 514-335-0374
Toll Free: 1-877-713-3393

Equifax Canada Inc.

Consumer Relations Department
PO Box 190
Jean Talon Station

Montréal, Quebec  H1S 2Z2

Telephone: 514-493-2314
Toll Free: 1-800-465-7166
Fax: 514-355-8502

Email
Websitewww.equifax.ca

Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC)

6th Floor
427 Laurier Avenue West

Ottawa, Ontario  K1R 1B9

Telephone: 613-996-5454
Toll Free: 1-866-461-FCAC (3222)
Toll Free 2: 1-866-914-6097
Phone (TTY): 613-947-7771
Fax: 613-941-1436

Email
Websitewww.fcac-acfc.gc.ca

Provincial and Territorial Consumer Affairs Office

Saskachewan

Consumer Protection Division, Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan
500-1919 Saskatchewan Drive

Regina, Saskatchewan  S4P 4H2

Telephone: 1 877 880-5550
Telephone: 306 787-5550
Fax: 306 787-9779

Email
Websitewww.fcaa.gov.sk.ca

Provincial and Territorial Consumer Affairs Offices

Alberta

Service Alberta, Consumer Contact Centre
3rd Floor Commerce Place
10155-102 Street

Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4L4

Telephone: 780-427-4088
Toll Free: 1-877-427-4088

Email
Websitewww.servicealberta.ca

British Columbia

Consumer Protection BC
#307-3450 Uptown Blvd
PO Box 9244

Victoria, British Columbia  V8W 9J2

Telephone: 604-320-1667
Toll Free: 1-888-564-9963
Fax: 250-920-7181

Email
Websitewww.consumerprotectionbc.ca

Manitoba

Consumer Protection Office, Manitoba Justice
302-258 Portage Avenue

Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3C 0B6

Telephone: 204-945-3800
Toll Free: 1-800-782-0067
Fax: 204-945-0728

Email
Websitewww.manitoba.ca/consumerinfo

New Brunswick

Financial and Consumer Services Commission
225 King Street, Suite 200

Fredericton, New Brunswick  E3B 1E1

Toll Free: 1-866-933-2222
Fax: 506-444-4494

Email
Websitewww.fcnb.ca

Newfoundland and Labrador

Service NL
PO Box 8700

St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador  A1B 4J6

Telephone: 709-729-2600
Toll Free: 1-877-968-2600
Fax: 709-729-6998

Email
Websitewww.servicenl.gov.nl.ca/index.html

Northwest Territories

Consumer Affairs, Department of Municipal and Community Affairs
5201-50th Avenue, Suite 600
PO Box 1320

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories  X1A 2L9

Telephone: 867-767-9161 ext 21022
Fax: 867-873-0309

Email
Websitewww.maca.gov.nt.ca/en/services/consumer-affairs

Nova Scotia

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, Public Enquiries
Mail Room, 8 South
Maritime Centre
1505 Barrington Street

Halifax, Nova Scotia  B3J 3K5

Telephone: 902-424-5200
Toll Free: 1-800-670-4357
Fax: 902-424-0720

Email
Websitenovascotia.ca/sns/access/individuals/consumer-awareness.asp

Nunavut

Consumer Affairs, Department of Community and Government Services
3090 – 9th Street
P.O. Box 440

Baker Lake, Nunavut  X0C 0A0

Telephone: 867-793-3303
Toll Free: 1-866-223-8139
Fax: 867-793-3321

Email
Websitewww.gov.nu.ca/

Ontario

Consumer Protection Ontario, Ministry of Government and Consumer Services
Box 450
1201 Wilson Ave, Station A

Toronto, Ontario  M3M 1J8

Telephone: 416-326-8800
Toll Free: 1-800-889-9768
Phone (TTY): 416-229-6086
Phone (TTY) 2: 1-877-666-6545
Fax: 416-326-8665

Email
Websitewww.ontario.ca/consumerprotection

Prince Edward Island

Consumer Services, Department of Justice and Public Safety
Shaw Building, 4th Floor
95 Rochford Street
PO Box 2000

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island  C1A 7N8

Telephone: 902-368-4580
Telephone: 902-368-4550
Toll Free: 1-800-658-1799
Fax: 902-368-5283

Websitehttps://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/consumer-services

Quebec

Office de la protection du consommateur
400 Jean-Lesage Boulevard, Suite 450

Québec, Quebec  G1K 8W4

Telephone: 418-643-1484
Toll Free: 1-888-672-2556
Fax: 418-528-0976

Websitewww.opc.gouv.qc.ca

Yukon

Consumer Services, Department of Community Services
307 Black Street

Whitehorse, Yukon  Y1A 2N1

Telephone: 867-667-5111
Toll Free: 1-800-661-0408 ext. 5111
Fax: 867-667-3609

Email
Websitewww.community.gov.yk.ca/consumer/index.html

Based on source material: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/search-research-database/en/node/11284