Getting A Free Credit Report Online

FREE online credit reports are available from Equifax and TransUnion.

It’s easy if you follow the instructions, so here’s what works best:

All browsers will work, but if it doesn’t work on your webs browser, use Google Chrome, and open it in Incognito mode (click on the three dots in the top right of the browser, or type Ctrl + Shift + N ) or if you are using Apple Safari, use Private mode.

You will need to know your name, address, and social insurance number.  You will then be asked four questions to verify your identity.  The questions are easy; some samples include:

  • who have you received credit from?
  • which is your previous address? (they will give you a list, and you pick one)
  • which is your previous employer? (they will give you a list, and you pick one)
  • how old are you today?
  • what year is your car?

Follow this link to the TransUnion website

Follow this link to the Equifax website  or follow this link to register for a free Equifax account.

If your identity is confirmed, you will be able to immediately print out your credit report.

NOTE: The online system does not operate perfectly. We have had reports that even when the identification questions were answered correctly the system may reject them. In those cases you may need to request your credit report by mail, so that a human can review and issue your credit report.

NOTE: Customers of Scotiabank and Royal Bank can get free credit reports and credit scores from within their on-line banking website or App.  On Scotiabank, the link is under “Additional Links” under the Manage Accounts category on the right hand side of the webpage, so if you are a customer of either bank, you can get your TransUnion report from the bank website, so you do not need to go to the TransUnion website.

NOTE: Both TransUnion and Equifax offer paid credit reports, that cost $19.95 per month.  The paid credit reports include your credit score, but we do not recommend the paid version because it’s expensive, and your credit score is less important than the creditor information on your credit report, which you can get for free.  The paid versions are called Equifax CompleteTM Premier, that costs $19.95 per month, and TransUnion also charges $19.95 per month.  We do NOT recommend the paid versions.