How to dispute information on your Equifax credit report
You can file a dispute online or by mail — for free.
How do I submit a dispute?
If you see information on your Equifax credit report that you believe is inaccurate or incomplete, you have two options:
- Receive a dispute form by email and submit it online.
- Download and print a dispute form and mail it, with copies of all required documents, to this address:
Equifax Canada Co.
National Consumer Relations.
Box 190
Montreal, Quebec H1S 2Z2
What can I expect after filing a dispute?
We’ll investigate your dispute
If we’re able to make changes on your credit report based on the information you provided, we’ll do so. Otherwise, we’ll contact the company that reported the information to us to verify the accuracy of the information you're disputing.
We’ll process your dispute in about 15-20 days for online submissions and 20-25 days for mailed submissions
We’ll notify you if we need more information to complete our investigation. After we complete the investigation, we’ll send you a confirmation letter with the results. If you submitted your dispute online, we’ll notify you by email. If you mailed your completed form and documents, we’ll notify you by mail.
What documents do I need to submit?
When you file a dispute, the documentation you need to provide depends on what information you’re disputing. Here are some examples of documents we may need during our investigation:
- 2 valid government-issued ID (front and back) confirming your legal name, date of birth, and/or current address (e.g., driver's license, passport, birth certificate, etc.). If the current address is not indicated, you must also provide;
- 1 proof of address (dated less than 90 days old) confirming your legal name and current address. (e.g., utility bills or financial statements.)
- Current bank statements with account information
- Letters from a creditor supporting your claim
- Proof that an account was created through or impacted by identity theft
- Letter from creditor/lender confirming the status, ownership, and details of the account (e.g. last 4 digits of the account number, amount, paid/settled, etc.)
- Bankruptcy discharge or other court documents
- Release letters from lenders, collection agencies or satisfaction of judgment
- Please refer to the instructions provided on your dispute request form for additional requirements
When filing a dispute, it’s helpful to include the Equifax Reference Number provided on your Equifax credit report, if available.
What you need to know
If you disputed an item and the investigation did not resolve the dispute, you have the right to add a statement to your credit file that is 800 characters or less, free of charge, explaining the nature of your dispute. If your statement is 800 characters or less, it will added to your credit file, and will be included each time your credit file is accessed.
Please send your statement in writing to Equifax, along with your name, address, date of birth and phone number. You will also need to provide photocopies of two valid pieces of identification. If you have the Equifax Unique Number from your credit report, that is also helpful.
Equifax Canada Co.
National Consumer Relations
Box 190
Montreal, Quebec H1S 2Z2
To remove the consumer statement, you must also do so by writing to the above address.
There are timeframes for how long different types of information may remain on your Equifax credit report.
Inquiries to the credit file
An inquiry made on the credit file will automatically purge three (3) years from the date of the inquiry.
Credit history and banking information
A credit account will automatically purge from the file six (6) years from date of last activity. Negative banking information related to chequing or savings accounts will automatically purge from the file six (6) years from the date reported.
Credit Counselling Services
If you engage in a Debt Management Program (DMP) with a credit counselling agency, it will automatically purge from the file two (2) years from the date the DMP is paid in full or six (6) years from the start date of the DMP, whichever occurs first.
Registered Consumer Proposal, Voluntary Deposit - Orderly Payment of Debts
A registered consumer proposal, voluntary deposit, and orderly payment of debts is purged three (3) years from the date paid or six (6) years from the date filed, whichever occurs first.
Bankruptcy
A bankruptcy will automatically purge six (6) years from the date of discharge in the case of a single bankruptcy. If the consumer declares more than one bankruptcy, each bankruptcy will remain on the file fourteen (14) years from the date of each discharge. All accounts included in a bankruptcy remain on file indicating “included in bankruptcy” and will purge six (6) years from the date of last activity.
Judgments
A judgment will automatically purge from the file six (6) years from the date the judgment was filed.
Collection Accounts
A collection account under public records will automatically purge from the file six (6) years from the date of last activity.
Secured Loans
A secured loan will automatically purge from the file six (6) years from the date filed.
If you decide to submit a dispute directly with a business, they will conduct an investigation and will send you the results of the investigation. They will notify Equifax of any changes that need to be made to the credit report as a result of the investigation.