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.
Managing your credit score takes time, but emergencies don’t always wait. When unexpected expenses arise, you might find yourself considering options like a quick money loan online. In these situations, having accurate, reliable information about available lenders can make a big difference. Comparing lenders and understanding their terms helps you avoid costly mistakes. For example, https://www.pretargentrapide.ca/ provides quick money loan online details along with useful information about various lenders and their requirements. It’s a practical way to explore your options and make a more informed decision.
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:
- Equifax Canada: 1-800-465-7166
- TransUnion Canada: 1-800-663-9980 or 1-877-713-3393 if you are a Quebec resident
Learning More About Credit Reporting
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada – Understanding Your Credit Report and Credit Score
- Office of Consumer Affairs – Credit Reports, Credit Scores and Credit Repair
Credit reporting and credit reporting agencies are regulated by provincial and territorial governments. For more information, contact your provincial or territorial consumer affairs office.
| Agency | Office/Address | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|
| TransUnion Canada | Consumer Relations 709 Main Street West PO Box 338 LCD 1 Hamilton, Ontario L8L 7W2 | Phone: 905-525-0262 Toll Free: 1-800-663-9980 |
| TransUnion Canada (Quebec Residents) | Consumer Relations Suite 370 1 Place Laval West Laval, Quebec H7N 1A1 | Phone: 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 | Phone: 514-493-2314 Toll Free: 1-800-465-7166 Fax: 514-355-8502 Email: [email protected] Website: www.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: [email protected]
Website: www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca
Provincial and Territorial Consumer Affairs Offices
| Province/Territory | Office Name & Address | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Service Alberta, Consumer Contact Centre 3rd Floor Commerce Place 10155-102 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4L4 | Phone: 780-427-4088 Toll Free: 1-877-427-4088 Email: [email protected] Website: www.servicealberta.ca |
| British Columbia | Consumer Protection BC #307-3450 Uptown Blvd PO Box 9244 Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9J2 | Phone: 604-320-1667 Toll Free: 1-888-564-9963 Fax: 250-920-7181 Email: [email protected] Website: www.consumerprotectionbc.ca |
| Manitoba | Consumer Protection Office, Manitoba Justice 302-258 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0B6 | Phone: 204-945-3800 Toll Free: 1-800-782-0067 Fax: 204-945-0728 Email: [email protected] Website: www.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: [email protected] Website: www.fcnb.ca |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Service NL PO Box 8700 St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 4J6 | Phone: 709-729-2600 Toll Free: 1-877-968-2600 Fax: 709-729-6998 Email: [email protected] Website: www.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 | Phone: 867-767-9161 ext 21022 Fax: 867-873-0309 Email: [email protected] Website: www.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 | Phone: 902-424-5200 Toll Free: 1-800-670-4357 Fax: 902-424-0720 Email: [email protected] Website: novascotia.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 | Phone: 867-793-3303 Toll Free: 1-866-223-8139 Fax: 867-793-3321 Email: [email protected] Website: www.gov.nu.ca/ |
| Ontario | Consumer Protection Ontario, Ministry of Government and Consumer Services Box 450, 1201 Wilson Ave, Station A Toronto, Ontario M3M 1J8 | Phone: 416-326-8800 Toll Free: 1-800-889-9768 TTY: 416-229-6086, 1-877-666-6545 Fax: 416-326-8665 Email: [email protected] Website: www.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 | Phone: 902-368-4580, 902-368-4550 Toll Free: 1-800-658-1799 Fax: 902-368-5283 Website: www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/consumer-services |
| Quebec | Office de la protection du consommateur 400 Jean-Lesage Boulevard, Suite 450 Québec, Quebec G1K 8W4 | Phone: 418-643-1484 Toll Free: 1-888-672-2556 Fax: 418-528-0976 Website: www.opc.gouv.qc.ca |
| Saskatchewan | Consumer Protection Division, Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan 500-1919 Saskatchewan Drive Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 4H2 | Phone: 1 877 880-5550, 306 787-5550 Fax: 306 787-9779 Email: [email protected] Website: www.fcaa.gov.sk.ca |
| Yukon | Consumer Services, Department of Community Services 307 Black Street Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2N1 | Phone: 867-667-5111 Toll Free: 1-800-661-0408 ext. 5111 Fax: 867-667-3609 Email: [email protected] Website: www.community.gov.yk.ca/consumer/index.html |
Based on source material: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/search-research-database/en/node/11284