This report is the basic detailed report that lists all your debts, collections, judgements and enquiries made about you. It is written in plain English (or French) and easy to follow. You can get this for free by mail, or online for a small fee. You MUST monitor this report at least twice a year.

If you see an error on your report, report it to the credit bureau Consumers wishing to dispute items on their credit files can do so by contacting the Credit Bureau directly

The credit bureau are paid by businesses and banks Changing or correcting information on your report is extremely difficult.

If the information about you is actually false and damaging, not just a true negative item, you might consider legal action against both the credit bureaux and the company reporting the false damaging information

These ratings are used in conjunction with your Credit Score to determine your credit worthiness Standard Credit Bureau Ratings in Canada

Number Rating

R0 Too new to rate; approved but not used
R1 Pays within 30 days of billing, or pays as agreed
R2 Pays in more than 30 days but less than 60 or one payment past due
R3 Pays in more than 60 days but less than 90 or two payments past due
R4 Pays in more than 90 days but less than 120 or three or more payments past due
R5 Account is at least 120 days past due but is not yet rated R9
R6 No rating exists
R7 Paid through a consolidation order, consumer proposal or credit counselling debt management program
R8 Repossession
R9 Bad debt or placed for collection or bankruptcy

Start by obtaining your credit reports from each of the consumer credit reporting agencies in Canada.

Do not phone, they will not discuss your credit report on the phone. CHECK YOUR CREDIT SCORE REGULARLY

Under the Consumer Reporting Act you are entitled to a copy of all the information a credit agency has on you. Find out what these credit bureaux are telling people about you and find out who has been asking.

Errors are very common. You can dispute erroneous items on your report. Correcting them will take a lot of time, work and effort.

Call the credit bureau and point out their errors. The credit bureau must review your complaints, however they will insist on your supplying the material using their forms. These forms, which are also included in your personal credit report, explain how to file disputes and get corrections made.

It is an uphill battle and you will have to fight them and be persistent.

You also have a right to place a 100 word statement on the credit bureau file to be given to anyone who obtains a future report. To obtain a hard copy of your personal credit file by mail:

Mail or fax a written request with copies of two pieces of identification to also write or fax to Trans Union Credit Bureaus. This mailed request service is free. In a couple of weeks, they will mail your report to you. You could also go to their office and ask to see your report.