How to Check Your Credit Score Free in Canada (2026)

Knowing your credit score is essential for financial planning. The good news: you can check your credit score for free in Canada through multiple services. Here’s every free option available.

Quick Summary: Free Credit Score Options

Best Free Credit Score Services

Borrowell (Equifax Score)

Best for: Weekly Equifax score updates and credit monitoring

How to sign up:

1. Visit borrowell.com
2. Create account with email
3. Verify identity (SIN, date of birth, address)
4. Score available instantly

Pros:

• Truly free, no paid tier required for score
• Weekly score updates
• Full credit report access
• Easy-to-understand interface

Cons:

• Shows Equifax score only
• Product recommendations are ads
• May not have all accounts immediately

Credit Karma (TransUnion Score)

Best for: Weekly TransUnion score updates and score simulation tools

How to sign up:

1. Visit creditkarma.ca
2. Create account with email
3. Verify identity
4. Score available instantly

Pros:

• Truly free, full-featured
• Weekly score updates
• Score simulator to test scenarios
• Free tax filing through CreditKarma Tax

Cons:

• TransUnion only (use Borrowell for Equifax)
• Lots of product recommendations
• Score simulator is estimate only

Using Both Borrowell and Credit Karma

For complete credit monitoring, sign up for both services:

Why use both:

• Some lenders check only Equifax, others only TransUnion
• Errors may appear on one report but not the other
• Your scores will differ—seeing both gives complete picture

Bank Credit Score Services

Most major Canadian banks now offer free credit scores to customers:

RBC Credit Score

How to access:

1. Log into RBC Online Banking
2. Navigate to “Credit Score” section
3. Complete one-time enrollment
4. Score displayed on dashboard

TD Credit Score (MySpend)

How to access:

1. Download TD MySpend app or log into EasyWeb
2. Look for Credit Score section
3. Accept terms to enable
4. View score and basic factors

CIBC Credit Score

How to access:

1. Open CIBC Mobile Banking app
2. Navigate to “My Credit Score”
3. Complete enrollment
4. Score updates monthly

Scotiabank Credit Score

How to access:

1. Log into Scotia Online or mobile app
2. Find Credit Score under Services
3. Enroll with identity verification
4. Score available within 24 hours

BMO Credit Score

How to access:

1. Log into BMO Online Banking
2. Select “View My Credit Score”
3. Complete enrollment
4. Monthly score updates

National Bank Credit Score

Free Credit Reports (Detailed)

Your credit report is the detailed record behind your score. You can get a free copy:

Equifax Canada

Free options:

To request online:

1. Visit equifax.ca
2. Click “Get My Free Credit Report”
3. Create account or log in
4. Verify identity with security questions
5. View report immediately

Note: This is your full credit report, not a simplified score summary.

TransUnion Canada

Free options:

To request online:

1. Visit transunion.ca
2. Click “Get Your Free Credit Report”
3. Create account
4. Complete identity verification
5. Access full report

What Information Does Each Service Show?

Understanding Your Free Credit Score

Score Ranges

Why Your Two Scores Differ

It’s normal for your Equifax and TransUnion scores to differ:

Typical difference: 10-50 points between bureaus is normal. Larger gaps may indicate errors or missing accounts.

When to Check Your Credit Score

Soft Inquiry vs Hard Inquiry

All free credit score services use soft inquiries. Checking your score through Borrowell, Credit Karma, or your bank will never hurt your credit.

Credit Monitoring: What to Watch For

When checking your credit, look for:

How to Dispute Errors

If you find errors on your free credit report:

Step 1: Document the Error

• Screenshot or print the incorrect information
• Gather supporting documents (statements, letters)

Step 2: File a Dispute

Equifax:

• Online: equifax.ca (recommended)
• Phone: 1-800-465-7166
• Mail: Equifax Canada, Box 190, Station Jean-Talon, Montreal, QC H1S 2Z2

TransUnion:

• Online: transunion.ca (recommended)
• Phone: 1-800-663-9980
• Mail: TransUnion Consumer Relations, P.O. Box 338 LCD 1, Hamilton, ON L8L 7W2

Step 3: Wait for Investigation

• Bureaus have 30 days to investigate
• They contact the creditor to verify
• You receive results by mail or online

Step 4: Follow Up

• Check report 30-45 days later
• If error persists, escalate or re-dispute
• Consider filing complaint with FCAC

Paid vs Free Credit Monitoring

Recommendation: Free services are sufficient for most people. Consider paid monitoring only if you’ve been a victim of identity theft or have specific security concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my credit score from my credit card company?

Some credit cards show your score on statements or online portals. Check your credit card account to see if this feature is available.

How long does it take to set up Borrowell or Credit Karma?

Both take about 5 minutes. You’ll need your SIN, date of birth, and current address for identity verification. Your score appears immediately after verification.

Can Americans check their Canadian credit score?

If you’ve built credit in Canada, you can check it through Canadian services. Your US credit history doesn’t transfer to Canadian bureaus.

I can’t verify my identity online. What should I do?

If online verification fails:

1. Request your credit report by mail
2. Include two pieces of government ID (copies)
3. Include proof of address
4. Wait 5-10 business days

Are Borrowell and Credit Karma legit?

Yes. Both are established, legitimate companies regulated in Canada. They make money through product recommendations and referrals, not by selling your data.

Summary: Getting Started

Related Resources

• Credit Score Ranges Explained
• Equifax vs TransUnion
• How to Dispute Credit Report Errors
• How to Build Credit in Canada
• Best Credit Builder Cards