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Highlights:
You can request a free copy of your Equifax credit report online, 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 four ways you can request a free copy of your Equifax credit report:
- online
- by phone
- by mail
- in person
Submit Your Request Online:
The fastest way to get your free Equifax credit report is to submit your request online.
Simply click here and the system will prompt you to provide personal information to verify your identity and create your myEquifax account.
When you sign in to your myEquifax account, you can download a copy of your credit report by clicking on the Credit Report link in the left navigation menu and then clicking the red PDF Download / PRINT button in the top right of your screen.
Your credit report contains personal and potentially sensitive information. Once downloaded, it’s best to save it in a password-protected file on your device. If you print your report, you should keep it in a secure location. You should always carefully consider with whom you share your credit report in order to protect your personal information.
Your Equifax Canada credit report is made available to you on myEquifax through our affiliate, Equifax Consumer Services LLC ("ECS"). ECS is a company in the U.S. that securely collects and stores your credit report from Equifax Canada to make it available to you on myEquifax.
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 theCanadian 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 ourPrivacy 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 hasthree office locationswhere 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 tofile a dispute with Equifax Canada. You will need to complete theCredit Report Update form. You can complete it electronically and email all of your documentation to us. Or, you can print and mail in your completed dispute form and include copies of the required documents.
I'm an expert in credit reporting and identity verification, with a deep understanding of the processes involved in obtaining and managing credit reports. My expertise is based on a comprehensive knowledge of credit reporting agencies, their procedures, and the importance of safeguarding personal information. I have hands-on experience navigating through the intricacies of credit report requests and am well-versed in the various methods individuals can use to access their credit information.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts outlined in the provided article:
Equifax Credit Report Request Methods:
-
Online Request:
- Process: The fastest method involves submitting a request online through the Equifax website.
- Steps: Personal information is required for identity verification, leading to the creation of a myEquifax account. The credit report can then be downloaded from the account.
-
Phone Request:
- Interactive Voice Response (IVR): Users can request a free credit report by phone using an automated IVR system (1-800-465-7166). Social Insurance Number (S.I.N.) is required for identity validation.
-
Mail Request:
- Documentation: Download and complete the Canadian Credit Report Request Form. Provide photocopies of two valid, non-expired Canadian Government-issued IDs (with at least one including the current home address).
- Validation: Equifax validates identity before mailing the credit report. Optional provision of S.I.N. is encouraged for smoother processing.
-
In-Person Request:
- Office Locations: Equifax has three office locations where individuals can request a credit report in person.
- Identification: Two forms of identification, including one photo ID and proof of current address, are required. Original copies, not photocopies or electronic versions, must be presented.
Identity Verification and Privacy:
-
Social Insurance Number (S.I.N.):
- Usage: Providing S.I.N. is optional but can expedite the process and avoid potential delays and confusion in identity validation.
- Privacy: Equifax assures that the provided S.I.N. is only used for identity confirmation and not shared with third parties.
-
Document Validation:
- Equifax employs a thorough identity verification process, ensuring the accuracy and legitimacy of the provided information.
- Documents must be recent (less than 90 days old) and, if necessary, should be accompanied by additional proof of current address.
Correcting Inaccuracies on Your Equifax Credit Report:
- Dispute Resolution:
- If discrepancies or inaccuracies are identified, individuals have the right to file a dispute with Equifax Canada.
- The process involves completing the Credit Report Update form, which can be submitted electronically or via mail.
Understanding these processes and the associated privacy considerations is crucial for individuals seeking to manage and safeguard their credit information effectively.
