How can i get a free equifax credit report

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Highlights:

• You can request a free copy of your Equifax credit report by phone, by mail or in person

• If you’re requesting by phone, you will be required to enter your Social Insurance Number

• You’ll need to send documents verifying your identity and address if requesting by mail

You are entitled to free credit reports from each of the two nationwide credit reporting agencies.

There are three ways you can request a free copy of your Equifax credit report:
     by phone

     by mail 

     in person

Submit Your Request by Phone:

To request your credit report free of charge by phone, use our Interactive Voice Response system: 1-800-465-7166. Interactive Voice Response (IVR) is an automated tool that gathers the required information to process your request through voice response or key pad selection. It is important to note that when requesting your free credit report by phone, you will be required to enter your Social Insurance Number (S.I.N.). If you do not wish to provide your S.I.N., you will need to select a different option to submit your request such as mail or in person. If/when you complete the identity validation process, your credit report will be sent to your home address via Canada Post within 5-10 days.

Submit Your Request by Mail:

First, you'll need to download and complete the Canadian Credit Report Request Form.

Second, you must provide a photocopy (front and back) of two pieces of valid, non-expired Canadian Government-issued identification. At least one of the two IDs must include your current home address. Examples of acceptable documentation include:

• Driver's license
• Canadian passport
• Canadian citizenship card
• Permanent resident card
• Social Insurance card
• Birth certificate
• Certificate of Indian Status

In order to protect your personal information, we will validate your identity before mailing your credit report to your confirmed home address. If your address is not up-to-date on either identification, you must also provide additional documentation that shows your current home address (e.g. telephone or utilities bill or bank statement). Your copy should show the date of the document, the sender, your name, address and your account number.

• Documents must be less than 90 days old
• We recommend you blackout any transactional details.
• If you provide a credit card statement or copy of your credit card as proof, please ensure to blackout your CVV.

While providing your Social Insurance Number (S.I.N.) is optional, it helps us avoid delays and confusion in case another individual's identifying information (such as name and address) is similar to your own. If you provide your S.I.N., we will cross-reference it with our records to ensure that we disclose the correct information to you. We will not use it for any other purpose or share it with any third party.

The documents you provide will be used to confirm your identity and may also be used to update your credit report. Such updated information will be stored, safeguarded, used and/or disclosed in the normal course as part of your credit file. For more information about Equifax's privacy practices, please see our Privacy Policy. In any case, we will keep a copy of the information you provide to demonstrate that we complied with our obligation to obtain reasonable identification from you.

As a last step, you will need to submit your completed form and proof of identity

     by mail to:
     Equifax Canada Co.
     National Consumer Relations
     Box 190 
     Montreal, Quebec H1S 2Z2

Kindly allow 5 - 10 days for delivery.

Submit Your Request in Person:

Equifax has four office locations where you can request a free copy of your Equifax credit report in-person and receive a printed copy of your credit report after your identity is confirmed. Copies of the request form you will need to complete are available onsite.

You need to bring with you at least two forms of identification, including 1 photo identification and proof of current address. Also, you must provide the original copies of your chosen identification - photocopies and electronic versions are not accepted at the office. Examples of acceptable documentation include:

Photo Identification (must be valid and current. Expired identification is not accepted):

• Driver's License
• Provincial Photo Card (where applicable)
• Canadian Passport
• Canadian Citizenship Card
• Permanent Resident Card
• Nexus Card
• Canadian National Institute of the Blind (CNIB) Card
• Certificate of Indian Status issued by the Government of Canada

Proof of Address (must be less than 90 days old and received by mail):

• Bank Statements
• Bank Issued Auto Insurance Statements
• Notice of Assessments (Government)
• Credit Card Statements
• RRSP
• Utility Bills (e.g. Gas, Phone, Electricity or Cable, etc.)

Acceptable Supporting IDs:

• Birth Certificate Issued in Canada
• T4 slip (some exceptions apply)
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada Document IMM1000 or IMM1442
• Social Insurance Number (S.I.N.) Card issued by Canadian Government
• Certificate of Naturalization

Providing your Social Insurance Number (S.I.N.) is optional. If you provide your S.I.N., we will cross-reference it with our records to help ensure that we disclose the correct information to you. We will not use it for any other purpose or share it with any third party.

Correct an Inaccuracy on Your Equifax Credit Report

If you find any information that you believe is inaccurate, incomplete or a result of fraud, you have the right to file a dispute with Equifax Canada. You will need to complete the Credit Report Update form enclosed with your package. You can also review how to dispute information on your credit report for additional details on the Equifax dispute process.

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