A credit report deserves more attention than a quick glance at a score. The useful review is about whether the underlying information belongs to you and is accurate. Keep the report private and work through it with current official guidance rather than responding to an unsolicited message promising a quick repair.
Start with identity and account recognition
Check personal information, then work through each listed account. An unfamiliar name may need investigation rather than an immediate conclusion: ask whether a lender uses another reporting name. If an account genuinely appears unknown, act promptly through official contact routes.
Review payment history and balances against your own records. Keep a note of the specific entry, what you believe is wrong and which document supports that view. A broad statement that the score seems too low is less useful for a factual dispute.
| Area | Question | Evidence to gather |
|---|---|---|
| Personal details | Is this information mine and accurate? | Relevant identification through a secure process |
| Accounts | Do I recognise the lender and account? | Statements and account records |
| Payment history | Does the entry match my records? | Dated receipts or statements |
| Dispute follow-up | What was reported and to whom? | Case references and written responses |
Use official correction channels
FCAC advises checking information with both Equifax and TransUnion and gathering documents for errors. Use the bureaus’ and lender’s current official processes. Do not send identity documents or report copies to a contact obtained from a suspicious advertisement.
Keep a record of submissions and responses. A correction request is an investigation process, not a promise that every negative entry will disappear. Accurate information and disputed inaccurate information are different issues.
- Obtain reports through trusted official routes.
- Check individual entries rather than only the score.
- Gather the records supporting each proposed correction.
- Follow up through the stated process and retain case details.
Respond carefully to signs of fraud
An account you did not open can be a sign of identity theft. Consult current official guidance and contact the affected organisations through independently verified channels. Do not use links in an alarming unsolicited message as your only route to help.
Rules and services can vary by province, territory and bureau. Verify current options directly rather than assuming every advertised monitoring or freezing service applies to you. This guide organises the review; it does not determine your legal rights in a particular dispute.
Questions and answers
Should I check only one bureau?
FCAC recommends reviewing reports from both major Canadian bureaus. Information and presentation may differ, so keep track of which report contains the issue.
Can a company guarantee removal of accurate negative information?
Treat such promises cautiously. A factual dispute concerns inaccurate information; a payment to a third party does not itself make accurate information wrong.
What if I disagree with an investigation result?
Use the current escalation and complaint information from the relevant bureau, lender and official consumer guidance. Keep your documents and responses organised.
Sources: canada.ca.
