Rounding it up
Your credit score represents your credit history and ability to pay bills on time
It’s important to keep track of your score so you don’t run into difficulty when applying for things like loans, or rental applications
You can get a free credit report through a credit bureau every 12 months, but this won’t show your credit score
There are two types of credit enquiries; a soft check or a hard check
You can check your credit score by paying a fee to a credit bureau, through your financial institution, or through a third party site
Wondering about your credit score and why it matters?
Your credit score affects everything from loan rates to rental applications. A good score can save you money on mortgages and help you qualify for better credit cards. Even an improving score shows landlords you're financially responsible.
Knowing where you stand helps you make smarter financial decisions and avoid application rejections that could hurt your score further.
Credit Bureaus in Canada
Credit bureaus collect different information about your credit history. Checking your own credit report never affects your credit score.
Credit reports from the main credit bureaus don't typically include your credit score.
You can often get your score from:
Your credit card company
Your bank or financial institution
Your loan statements
Many KOHO users check their credit score for free right in the app store, making it easy to track changes over time.
A Few Things About Credit Scores
First, you don't have just one credit score. These scores show lenders how likely you are to pay bills on time.
Different companies calculate your score differently:
Credit bureaus use their own scoring models
FICO has its own method
Scores vary because not all lenders report to all bureaus
Some lenders look at more than just your credit score when deciding to give you credit
Get your Free Credit Report Online
Both Equifax and TransUnion offer free online credit reports:
Access your free Equifax credit report
Access your free TransUnion credit report (called Consumer Disclosure)
Both update monthly and show your information right away. Other companies may also offer free reports.
Get your Credit Report by Mail
Order by mail
Use the forms from each bureau:
Include copies of two pieces of ID (like driver's licence or passport).
Order by phone
Call and follow their instructions:
Equifax Canada: 1-800-465-7166
TransUnion Canada: 1-800-663-9980
Be ready to answer personal and financial questions. You might need to provide your SIN and/or credit card number to confirm who you are.
Get your Credit Report in Person
Visit a location with at least two pieces of ID:
Get your Credit Score
Your credit score comes from your credit report and shows lenders how risky it might be to lend you money.
Equifax provides free online credit scores updated monthly
Quebec residents can also get free TransUnion credit scores
Sign up for a KOHO account in less than five minutes, and with a 30 day trial you can check your credit score for free!
Some companies offer free scores but might ask you to sign up for paid services.
Protect Yourself
Before sharing personal information:
Research the company
Read terms of use and privacy policies
Check if your information will be sold
Use secured websites (look for "https")
Watch out for scammers offering free reports to steal your information.
Credit monitoring
Credit bureaus, credit card companies, and banks offer monitoring services that alert you to changes in your credit report or score.
Consider using these services if you suspect fraud or were affected by a data breach. Most charge fees, though some institutions offer them free in certain cases.
Check regularly
Get your report from one bureau, then check the other bureau six months later. This helps you spot problems sooner.
About the author
Tyler Wade believes in mental wealth—a healthy approach to finances is better for your health. You can find his writing on KOHO, Forbes Advisor, and Ratehub where he also launched, produced, and hosted the Real Money Talk podcast. He's a husband to one, a father of two, and is a bit of a cyborg.
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