How to Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report in Canada (Step-by-Step + Free Template)

Credit Report Errors Are More Common Than You Think

One in four Canadians has at least one error on their credit report that could be dragging their score down right now. Maybe a debt you paid off years ago still shows as outstanding. Maybe there is an account listed under your name that you never opened. Maybe a simple data-entry mistake has the wrong balance on your credit card.

Whatever the case, errors on your credit report are not just annoying. They can cost you real money in the form of higher interest rates, denied rental applications, and rejected credit products. The good news is that you have a legal right to dispute those errors and get them corrected, and the process is more straightforward than most people realize.

This guide walks you through every step of disputing errors on your Canadian credit report, from pulling your file to filing with Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada, to following up if your dispute is denied. We have also created a free dispute letter template that you can customize and send today.

If you are not sure where your credit stands or what recovery path makes sense for you, start with our free credit recovery quiz to get a personalized action plan.

How to Get Your Credit Report for Free in Canada

Before you can dispute anything, you need a copy of your credit report. Canada has two major credit bureaus, and you should check your file with both because lenders do not always report to the same one.

Equifax Canada

The easiest free option is Borrowell, which gives you your Equifax credit score and full report updated weekly. You can sign up in minutes and checking does not affect your score. Alternatively, you can request your report directly from Equifax Canada by mail. You will need to send a written request along with two pieces of government-issued identification to their mailing address (covered below).

TransUnion Canada

Credit Karma Canada provides free access to your TransUnion credit score and report. Like Borrowell, it uses a soft inquiry that does not impact your score. You can also request your TransUnion report by mail using a similar process.

Why Check Both Reports

A creditor might report a debt to Equifax but not TransUnion, or vice versa. An error could appear on one report and not the other. Checking both ensures you catch every mistake and dispute it with the right bureau.

Types of Errors to Look For

Go through every section of your credit report carefully. Here are the most common errors Canadians find and examples of each.

Personal Information Errors

• Misspelled name or wrong name entirely due to a file mix-up with someone similar
• Incorrect address history with addresses you have never lived at
• Wrong date of birth or Social Insurance Number, which can indicate identity theft
• Incorrect employer information

Account Errors

• Accounts that do not belong to you due to a file merge or identity theft
• Incorrect account balances (e.g., a card showing $3,000 when you owe $300)
• Wrong credit limit, which makes your utilization ratio look worse than it is
• Closed accounts listed as open
• Duplicate accounts inflating your total obligations

Payment History Errors

• Late payments you actually made on time
• Paid debts still showing as owing
• Incorrect dates that extend how long negative information stays on your report

Public Record and Collection Errors

• A bankruptcy or consumer proposal that does not belong to you
• Bankruptcy remaining past its legal retention period (six years after discharge in most provinces)
• Collection accounts for debts you already paid
• Inflated collection amounts with fees that exceed what was owed
• Collections past the statute of limitations that should no longer appear

Use our credit score calculator to see how much a specific error might be affecting your overall score.

Step-by-Step: Disputing Errors with Equifax Canada

Option 1: Dispute Online

1. Visit the Equifax Canada website. Go to equifax.ca and navigate to the dispute section under “Personal Solutions.”
2. Sign in or create an account. You will need to verify your identity.
3. Select the item you want to dispute. Identify the specific account, balance, or piece of information that is incorrect.
4. Explain the error clearly. State what the correct information should be and why the current entry is wrong.
5. Upload supporting documents. Attach proof such as payment receipts, account statements, or correspondence from the creditor.
6. Submit and save your confirmation number. You will need this to follow up.

Option 2: Dispute by Mail

If you prefer a paper trail or your dispute is complex, send a written dispute letter to:

Equifax Canada Co. Box 190 Jean Talon Station Montreal, Quebec H1S 2Z2

Your letter should include:

• Your full legal name, current address, and date of birth
• Your Social Insurance Number (optional but speeds up processing)
• A clear description of each item you are disputing and why
• What the correct information should be
• Copies (not originals) of supporting documents
• A copy of a government-issued photo ID

You can use our free dispute letter template to make sure you include everything.

Documents to Gather

Before filing your dispute, collect as much supporting evidence as possible:

• Payment receipts or bank statements showing payments were made on time or debts were paid in full
• Account closure confirmations from the creditor
• Letters from creditors acknowledging errors or confirming balances
• Identity documents if the dispute involves accounts that are not yours
• Court documents if the dispute involves a bankruptcy or judgment

Timeline

Equifax Canada is required to investigate your dispute within 30 days of receiving it. During this period, they will contact the creditor or data furnisher to verify the information. You will receive a written response with the results of the investigation.

Step-by-Step: Disputing Errors with TransUnion Canada

Option 1: Dispute Online

1. Visit the TransUnion Canada website. Go to transunion.ca and look for the dispute or “Consumer Relations” section.
2. Verify your identity. You may need to answer security questions based on your credit file.
3. Identify the error. Select the specific item on your report that you want to dispute.
4. Provide your explanation. Be specific about what is wrong and what the accurate information should be.
5. Attach supporting documents. Upload scanned copies of any evidence that supports your dispute.
6. Submit and note any reference number provided.

Option 2: Dispute by Mail

Send your dispute letter along with supporting documents to:

TransUnion Consumer Relations P.O. Box 338, LCD1 Hamilton, Ontario L8L 7W2

Include the same information as listed in the Equifax section above: your full name, address, date of birth, a clear description of the error, what the correct information is, and copies of supporting documents.

Again, our free dispute letter template covers all of this in a format that is easy to customize.

Timeline

TransUnion Canada also operates under a 30-day investigation window. They will reach out to the information provider (the creditor, collection agency, or public records source) to verify accuracy. You will receive a letter or notification with the outcome.

What to Include in Your Dispute Letter

Your letter needs to be clear, specific, and backed by evidence. Include the following:

1. Your identifying information. Full legal name, current mailing address, date of birth, and optionally your SIN.
2. The specific items you are disputing. List each error by account name, account number, and the type of error.
3. A clear explanation for each item. Do not just say “this is wrong.” Say “this account shows a balance of $2,400 but I paid this in full on September 15, 2025, as shown in the attached bank statement.”
4. What you want the bureau to do. Be explicit: “I request that this account be updated to show a zero balance” or “I request that this account be removed from my credit report.”
5. Copies of supporting documents such as receipts, statements, or creditor correspondence.
6. A request for written confirmation and an updated copy of your credit report once the investigation is complete.

Download our free dispute letter template to save time. If your dispute involves a collection account, you may also want our pay-for-delete letter template to negotiate removal in exchange for payment.

What Happens After You File Your Dispute

The Investigation Process

Once the bureau receives your dispute, they have 30 days to investigate. During that window, the bureau contacts the data furnisher (the creditor or collection agency that reported the information) and asks them to verify the disputed item. The furnisher reviews their records and responds to the bureau, which then updates your file accordingly.

Possible Outcomes

• The error is corrected. The bureau updates your report and sends you a free updated copy. Your score should adjust within one to two reporting cycles.
• The information is verified as accurate. No change is made, but you have the right to add a consumer statement explaining your side.
• The item is deleted. If the data furnisher cannot verify the information or fails to respond, the bureau must remove the item entirely. This is the best possible outcome.

If Your Dispute Is Rejected: Next Steps

A rejected dispute does not mean you are out of options. Canadians have strong consumer protection rights when it comes to credit reporting.

File a Complaint with the FCAC

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) is the federal regulator that oversees credit reporting practices in Canada. If you believe a credit bureau has not handled your dispute properly, you can file a complaint with the FCAC at canada.ca/fcac. The FCAC can investigate whether the bureau followed proper procedures and can require corrective action.

Dispute Directly with the Creditor

If the bureau sided with the data furnisher, go directly to the creditor or collection agency. Send them a formal letter disputing the information and requesting correction. Creditors have an obligation to report accurate information, and some will correct errors when approached directly even if the bureau process did not resolve the issue.

Add a Consumer Statement

Both Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada allow you to add a brief consumer statement (up to 100 words) to your credit file. This statement appears alongside the disputed item and gives your side of the story. While a consumer statement does not change your credit score, it can provide context to any lender or landlord who manually reviews your report. For example: “This collection account was paid in full in 2025. I am disputing the continued listing.”

Escalate Under Provincial Consumer Protection Laws

In addition to federal oversight by the FCAC, each province has its own consumer protection legislation. For instance, Ontario’s Consumer Reporting Act requires credit reporting agencies to follow specific investigation procedures. If your provincial rights have been violated, contact your provincial consumer affairs office. For severe cases involving identity theft or significant financial harm, consider consulting a consumer rights lawyer.

Tips for a Successful Credit Report Dispute

1. Dispute one item at a time. Bureaus may treat a letter with too many disputes as frivolous. Focus on the most impactful errors first.
2. Be specific and factual. Emotional language weakens your case. Stick to the facts: what is wrong, what the correct information is, and what evidence proves it.
3. Keep copies of everything. Save copies of your dispute letters, supporting documents, confirmation numbers, and all correspondence from the bureau.
4. Send mail by registered post. If you are mailing your dispute, use Canada Post’s registered mail so you have proof it was received and the date it arrived.
5. Follow up promptly. If you have not heard back within 30 days, contact the bureau and reference your confirmation or tracking number.
6. Dispute with both bureaus if needed. If the error appears on both your Equifax and TransUnion reports, you need to file separate disputes with each bureau.
7. Monitor your report after the correction. Use Borrowell to track your Equifax score and Credit Karma for TransUnion. Make sure the correction sticks and does not reappear in a future reporting cycle.
8. Know your rights. Under federal and provincial consumer protection laws, Canadians have the right to accurate credit reporting. The bureaus are legally obligated to investigate your dispute and correct verified errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a credit report dispute take in Canada?

Both Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada must complete their investigation within 30 days. In practice, many disputes are resolved within two to three weeks. If the error is corrected, your updated score should reflect the change within one to two months.

Does disputing an error hurt my credit score?

No. Filing a dispute does not affect your credit score in any way. If your dispute succeeds and an error is corrected, your score will likely improve. If the dispute is denied, your score stays exactly where it was.

Can I dispute items myself, or do I need to hire a company?

You can absolutely do it yourself. The process is free and straightforward. Everything a credit repair company does, you can do yourself using this guide and our free dispute letter template. Be wary of any company that guarantees specific score increases or charges large upfront fees.

What if the same error keeps reappearing after I dispute it?

This is known as “reinsertion” and it happens when the original data furnisher continues reporting incorrect information. File a new dispute referencing the previous case number and also file a complaint with the FCAC, as reinsertion without proper notice may violate federal credit reporting guidelines. Dispute directly with the creditor as well to address the root cause.

Take Control of Your Credit Report Today

Disputing errors on your credit report is one of the fastest ways to improve your score without spending a dollar. Many Canadians see increases of 30 to 100 points after getting errors corrected, especially when the errors involved false late payments or collections that should not have been there.

Start by pulling your reports from Borrowell for Equifax and Credit Karma for TransUnion. Review every line. If something looks wrong, use our free dispute letter template and follow the steps in this guide to get it fixed.

Not sure what is holding your score back? Take our free credit recovery quiz to get a personalized plan based on your exact situation. And if you are dealing with collections or debts in addition to credit report errors, check out our guide on rebuilding credit after bankruptcy in Canada for a detailed month-by-month recovery plan.

Your credit report should reflect the truth about your financial history. If it does not, you have every right to fix it.