Your Credit Reporting Rights in Ontario
Your credit report affects loans, rentals, jobs and insurance. In Ontario, the Consumer Reporting Act gives you rights to see what is in your file, to challenge mistakes and to be told when information from a report was used against you.
- You can ask the credit bureaus (such as Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada) for a copy of your file. Check each bureau's current process.
- If something is wrong, you can dispute it and the bureau must investigate and correct what it cannot support.
- A lender or landlord who turns you down based on a report should tell you, so you know which bureau to check.
- Negative items stay on a report for a limited number of years, not forever.
Getting your report
- Request your file from each bureau, online or by mail, following its identity checks.
- Look at every section: personal details, accounts, balances, payment history, inquiries and collections.
- Check for accounts that are not yours, wrong balances, or duplicate collections.
- Keep copies, and re-check periodically, especially before a big application.
Disputing an error
- Tell the bureau in writing which item is wrong and why, and attach proof, such as a payoff letter or an identity document.
- Ask the creditor to correct their own records, since the bureau relies on the information they send.
- The bureau must look into your dispute and, if it cannot verify the item, correct or remove it.
- If you are not satisfied, you can add a short statement to your file explaining your side.
Who can see your file
A credit bureau can give your report to people with a permitted purpose, such as a lender considering your application, a landlord with your consent, or an employer with your written consent. Others generally need your permission. If you think someone looked at your file without a good reason, you can complain.
If you were turned down
Where credit is refused, in whole or in part, based on a report, you are generally entitled to be told that, and where to get your report. Use that to find and fix problems.
Protecting your credit
- Pay at least the minimum on time, since late payments are among the most damaging items.
- Keep your balances well below your credit limits.
- Apply for new credit only when you need it, since many applications in a short time can lower your score.
- Watch for identity theft, and place a fraud alert or freeze if needed.
Common questions
How long do negative items stay on my report?
Generally several years, often around six to seven, depending on the type of item and the bureau. Ask each bureau for its current policy.
Does checking my own report lower my score?
No. A request for your own file is a soft inquiry and does not affect your score.
This guide is general information for people in Ontario, not legal advice. Rules, forms and deadlines change, and every situation is different. Check the current rule or speak to a licensed legal professional before you act.
Not sure where you stand? A licensed paralegal can look at your documents and tell you your options.
Book a Free Consultation
PIPEDA-compliant