How to Check Your Credit Score for Free in Canada
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You never need to pay to see your own credit information in Canada. Checking it yourself is a “soft” check and does not lower your score.
Your two bureaus
Canada has two credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion. Lenders may report to one or both, so your two files and scores can differ. That’s normal.
Free ways to check
- Directly from the bureaus. Both Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada give you your credit report free, online or by mail.
- Free score apps. Several Canadian apps show an Equifax or TransUnion score free and update it regularly.
- Your bank. Many banks show a free score in their mobile app.
What the score means
Canadian scores run from 300 to 900. Each lender sets its own cut-offs, but roughly:
| Range | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| 760+ | Excellent: best rates and approvals |
| 700–759 | Good: approved for most mainstream products |
| 650–699 | Fair: approved, sometimes at higher rates |
| Below 650 | Building or rebuilding: start with a secured card |
The free score in an app may be calculated differently from the one a lender pulls. Use it to follow your trend, not as an exact number.
Read the report, not just the score
The report shows each account, its limit, its balance, any late payments and who has checked your file. Look for:
- accounts you never opened (a possible sign of identity theft)
- payments marked late that weren’t
- debts listed twice, or old debts that should have dropped off (usually after about six years)
How to dispute an error
Contact the bureau showing the error (Equifax or TransUnion) through its online dispute form, and include proof such as a statement or letter. Disputes are free. If the error came from a lender, contacting the lender too can speed things up. The FCAC’s credit report guide walks through the process.
If you see accounts you didn’t open, contact both bureaus to add a fraud alert, and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.