How long does it take to dispute a credit report error in Canada?

Credit bureaus must investigate disputes within 30 days. After investigation, they notify you of the results. The entire process, including corrections, typically takes 30-45 days.

Does disputing a credit report error cost money?

No. Disputing errors on your credit report is completely free. You can file disputes directly with Equifax and TransUnion online, by phone, or by mail at no charge.

What can I dispute on my credit report?

You can dispute any incorrect information: wrong personal details, accounts you don't recognize, incorrect payment history, wrong balances, closed accounts showing open, or outdated negative items that should have been removed.

Will disputing hurt my credit score?

No. Filing a dispute does not affect your credit score. If the dispute results in removing negative information, your score may improve.

How to Dispute Credit Report Errors in Canada (2026)

Credit report errors are more common than you might think. Studies suggest that about 20% of consumers have an error on at least one credit report. Here’s how to find and fix mistakes on your Canadian credit report.

Types of Credit Report Errors

Personal Information Errors

Error Type	Examples
Name misspelled	“John Smith” vs “Jon Smith”
Wrong address	Old address listed as current
Incorrect employer	Job you never held
Wrong date of birth	Off by a day or year
Mixed files	Someone else’s info on your report

Account Errors

Error Type	Examples
Accounts you don’t recognize	Identity theft or mixed files
Wrong account status	Closed account shown as open
Incorrect balance	Shows balance you already paid
Wrong credit limit	Lower than actual limit
Duplicate accounts	Same account listed twice

Payment History Errors

Error Type	Examples
Late payments not yours	Someone else’s late payment
Payments marked late when on time	You paid by due date
Wrong dates	Late payment in wrong month
Missing positive history	On-time payments not recorded

Collection/Public Record Errors

Error Type	Examples
Collections you don’t owe	Paid or not your debt
Bankruptcy not yours	Someone else’s bankruptcy
Items past removal date	Should have fallen off
Duplicate collections	Same debt listed multiple times

Step 1: Get Your Credit Reports

Before disputing, get copies of your credit reports from both bureaus:

Free Credit Reports

Bureau	Free Access Method
Equifax	equifax.ca (Consumer Disclosure)
TransUnion	transunion.ca (free report)
Alternative	Borrowell (Equifax), Credit Karma (TransUnion)

What to Review

Section	Look For
Personal information	Correct name, address, SIN
Account list	All accounts should be yours
Payment history	Accurate late/on-time records
Inquiries	Only inquiries you authorized
Collections	Only legitimate debts
Public records	Only your bankruptcies/judgments

Step 2: Document the Error

Before filing a dispute, gather evidence:

Error Type	Supporting Documents
Wrong payment status	Bank statements showing payment dates
Account not yours	Any correspondence or lack of account records
Wrong balance	Statements showing correct balance
Paid collection	Pay-off letter, payment receipt
Identity theft	Police report, fraud affidavit

Step 3: File a Dispute

Disputing with Equifax

Online (Fastest):

Visit equifax.ca
Create account or log in
Navigate to “Dispute” or “Consumer Disclosure”
Select the item to dispute
Describe the error and upload documents
Submit

By Phone:

Call 1-800-465-7166
Explain the error to the representative
Follow their instructions for documentation

By Mail:

Equifax Canada
Consumer Relations Department
Box 190, Station Jean-Talon
Montreal, QC H1S 2Z2

Include in your letter:

Full name and current address
Date of birth and SIN (last 4 digits)
Description of the error
Supporting documents
Request for correction

Disputing with TransUnion

Online (Fastest):

Visit transunion.ca
Create account or log in
Go to “Dispute”
Select the item
Provide explanation and evidence
Submit

By Phone:

Call 1-800-663-9980
Explain the error
Follow instructions

By Mail:

TransUnion Consumer Relations
P.O. Box 338 LCD 1
Hamilton, ON L8L 7W2

Step 4: Wait for Investigation

Timeline

Stage	Timeline
Acknowledgment	Within days of submission
Investigation	Up to 30 days
Results notification	At end of investigation
Updated report	1-2 weeks after correction

What Happens During Investigation

Bureau receives your dispute
Bureau contacts the creditor/source
Creditor reviews their records
Creditor responds to bureau
Bureau updates report (if error confirmed)
Bureau notifies you of results

Step 5: Review the Results

Possible Outcomes

Outcome	Meaning	Next Steps
Error corrected	Information fixed	Request updated report
Dispute verified as accurate	Creditor confirms info	Consider escalation
Information deleted	No verification received	Good—item removed
Dispute resolved	Partial correction	Review if satisfied

If Dispute Is Rejected

Option	Description
Escalate with bureau	Ask for supervisor review
Dispute directly with creditor	Contact the company reporting the info
File statement of dispute	Add 100-word explanation to report
File FCAC complaint	If rights violated
Consult legal help	For serious disputes

Disputing Directly with Creditors

Sometimes it’s faster to contact the reporting creditor:

Steps

Find contact info — Look up creditor’s dispute address
Write a formal letter — Explain the error with evidence
Request correction — Ask them to update info with bureaus
Follow up — If no response in 30 days, contact again

Sample Letter to Creditor

[Date]

[Creditor Name]
[Address]

Re: Account #[account number] - Request for Correction

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to dispute information you are reporting to Equifax/TransUnion 
regarding my account.

The error: [Describe specifically]

The truth: [Explain correct information]

Enclosed: [List supporting documents]

Please investigate this matter and correct the information with all credit 
bureaus. Per the Consumer Reporting Act, you have 30 days to investigate.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]
[Your phone number]

Common Disputes and How to Handle Them

Late Payment That Wasn’t Late

Step	Action
1	Gather bank statements showing payment date
2	Note the due date (from credit card statement)
3	Dispute with bureau, attach proof
4	If rejected, contact creditor directly

Account You Don’t Recognize

Step	Action
1	File dispute as “not my account”
2	Consider identity theft possibility
3	Place fraud alert if suspicious
4	File police report if confirmed fraud

Collection Already Paid

Step	Action
1	Get pay-off letter from collection agency
2	Dispute with bureau, attach letter
3	Request status change to “paid”
4	Follow up if not updated

Item That Should Have Aged Off

Negative Item	Removal Timeline
Late payments	6 years from date of late payment
Collections	6 years from last activity
First bankruptcy	6 years from discharge
Second bankruptcy	14 years from discharge
Consumer proposal	3 years after completion
Judgment	6 years

If an item is past these dates:

Note the timeline in your dispute
Request removal due to age
If rejected, escalate to bureau supervisor

Filing a Statement of Dispute

If your dispute is rejected but you still disagree:

What Is It?

You can add a 100-word statement explaining your side of the dispute. This appears when lenders pull your report.

When to Use It

Legitimate dispute rejected
Extenuating circumstances (medical, etc.)
Waiting for creditor to correct

How to Add It

Bureau	Process
Equifax	Call 1-800-465-7166, request to add statement
TransUnion	Call 1-800-663-9980, request to add statement

Sample Statement

The late payment reported on [Account] in [Month/Year] was due to 
[explanation - e.g., hospitalization, payment system error, etc.]. 
I have documentation supporting my claim. This does not reflect my 
normal credit behavior, as evidenced by my otherwise perfect payment history.

Disputing Inquiries

Hard Inquiries You Didn’t Authorize

If you see hard inquiries you don’t recognize:

Step	Action
1	List unrecognized inquiries
2	Dispute as unauthorized
3	Consider fraud alert if suspicious
4	Monitor for identity theft

Note: Hard inquiries have minimal impact and fall off after 3 years. Focus disputes on accounts and payment history.

Tips for Successful Disputes

Do

Tip	Why
Be specific	“Wrong balance” isn’t enough; specify amount
Include evidence	Documents strengthen your case
Keep copies	Record of everything you send
Follow up	Don’t assume it’s resolved
Check both bureaus	File with both if error is on both

Don’t

Mistake	Why
Dispute accurate information	Wastes time, may be flagged as frivolous
Use credit repair companies	Usually charge for what you can do free
Dispute everything at once	Bureaus may flag as frivolous
Ignore the 30-day window	Follow up if no response

Credit Repair Companies: Warning

Many companies promise to “repair” your credit for a fee.

Red Flags

Warning Sign	What It Means
Guarantees specific score increase	No one can guarantee results
Charges upfront before services	Against regulations
Promises to remove accurate negatives	Only inaccurate info can be removed
Suggests creating “new identity”	Illegal
No written contract	Legitimate businesses provide contracts

What They Do vs. What You Can Do

Their Service	You Can Do Free
File disputes	File disputes yourself
Write letters	Use templates online
Monitor credit	Use Borrowell/Credit Karma
“Negotiate”	Contact creditors yourself

Bottom line: Everything credit repair companies do, you can do yourself for free.

Filing a Complaint

If the credit bureau doesn’t properly handle your dispute:

Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC)

How to File	Details
Online	canada.ca/fcac
Phone	1-866-461-3222
Mail	FCAC, 427 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, ON K1R 1B9

When to File

Bureau didn’t respond in 30 days
Bureau refuses to correct obvious error
You believe rights were violated

Timeline Summary

Stage	Timeline
Get credit reports	Day 1
Identify and document errors	Days 1-7
File disputes	Day 7-14
Bureau investigation	Up to 30 days
Receive results	Day 30-45
Follow up on rejections	Day 45-60
Score reflects changes	Day 60-90

After Your Dispute

If Successful

Request an updated free copy of your report
Verify correction is made
Monitor for reappearance (sometimes errors return)
Check other bureau (they don’t automatically sync)

Score Impact

Correction Type	Score Impact
Removed collection	+25-100 points
Corrected late payment	+20-50 points
Fixed high balance	+10-40 points
Removed duplicate	Varies

Actual impact depends on individual credit profile