A mistake on your credit report isn't yours to keep.
In Ontario you can dispute wrong information on your Equifax or TransUnion report for free — and they have to investigate. Here's how to find errors and get them fixed.
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In 30 seconds, here's what's true
- Canada has two main credit bureaus: Equifax and TransUnion. You have the right to dispute wrong information on your report with each of them — for free.
- Lenders don't always report to both bureaus, so an error can be on one report and not the other. Always check both, and dispute with each separately.
- When you dispute, the bureau contacts the company that reported the item. If they can't confirm it's correct, the bureau must fix or remove it. Bureaus aim to finish within about 30 days.
- Most negative marks (late payments, collections) drop off after about 6 years. Paying off a collection doesn't erase it — it stays for the full period but shows as 'paid.'
- It's always free to fix a real error. Companies that charge to 'repair' your credit can't do anything you can't do yourself, and can't remove accurate information.
How the process works
Get your report from both bureaus
Request your free credit report from Equifax and from TransUnion. Read each one carefully — errors often appear on one but not the other. Free apps like Borrowell (Equifax) and Credit Karma (TransUnion) can help you see them.
Pinpoint the error and gather proof
Common errors: accounts that aren't yours, a paid debt shown as unpaid, wrong balances, or late payments that were actually on time. Collect statements, letters from the creditor, and anything that proves the correct facts. Send copies, never originals.
File a dispute with each bureau
Equifax: through your myEquifax account or by mail. TransUnion: online, or by phone at 1-800-663-9980. Clearly identify the item, explain why it's wrong, and attach your documents. Keep a copy of everything you send.
Also tell the company that reported it
Contacting the lender or collection agency directly can fix it faster, because they update their next report to the bureaus. The bureau can't fix something the creditor keeps reporting as correct — so go to the source too.
If it's not fixed, escalate
Add a short consumer statement to your file explaining the dispute. You can also complain to Consumer Protection Ontario, which oversees credit bureaus under the Consumer Reporting Act and can ask them to correct your file (they'll need your written permission).
What to do next
- Get your free credit report from Equifax.
- Get your free credit report from TransUnion.
- Circle every item that looks wrong on each report.
- Gather documents that prove the correct information (keep originals).
- File a dispute with each bureau that shows the error.
- Contact the lender or collection agency that reported it.
- Add a consumer statement to your file if the dispute is denied.
- Start a free PLAIN session to plan your dispute and next steps.
Common myths
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| Checking my own credit hurts my score. | No. Looking at your own report is a 'soft' check and has no effect on your score. Only certain lender checks count. |
| I have to pay to fix an error on my credit report. | No. Disputing wrong information is always free at both Equifax and TransUnion. |
| Paying off a collection removes it from my report. | No. It stays for the full retention period (about 6 years) but should update to show 'paid.' |
| Credit bureaus can keep negative information forever. | No. Ontario law and bureau policy limit how long items stay — most negatives drop off after about 6 years. |
| Fixing it at one bureau fixes both. | No. Equifax and TransUnion are separate. You have to dispute the error with each one that shows it. |
| A credit repair company can erase my bad credit. | No. They can't remove accurate information, and can't do anything you can't do yourself for free. |
| There's nothing I can do if the bureau won't fix it. | You can add a consumer statement and complain to Consumer Protection Ontario, which regulates the bureaus. |
| An old debt can be reported no matter how long ago it was. | No. There are limits — collections generally can't be reported after about 6 to 7 years. |
Last reviewed June 2026
Written and reviewed by the founder of PLAIN, checked against primary government and legal sources. How we research these guides
Sources
- Ontario — Credit reports (your rights; Equifax & TransUnion; Consumer Protection Ontario)
- Consumer Reporting Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.33 (right to dispute and correct; retention limits)
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada — Checking for errors on your credit report
- Steps to Justice — Credit reporting and debt
PLAIN gives legal information, not legal advice. It is not a substitute for a lawyer or paralegal — and we'll point you to free ones. Laws change; we review these pages regularly, but always confirm current rules with a licensed professional.
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