Your credit report represents roughly your financial footprint. It provides your payment habits, your bank accounts history and inquiries made about your credit report. Therefore you have every interest in being aware of its content and in making sure that it remains accurate. Besides, you can access it for free.
Verify your credit report once a year
You can order a free copy of your credit report once a year. To do so, simply fill out one of the forms provided on the websites of the two following credit agencies:
You will get your credit report by mail within a week or two after submitting your request to the agency.
If you want to avoid the wait, it is always possible to get your report directly from Equifax’s or TransUnion’s websites. Just keep in mind that there will be a fee involved.
Once you have your report, you will be well advised to validate that the information it contains is indeed accurate, including:
- your personal information;
- your employment history;
- the list of inquiries made about your credit report;
- your credit history and banking information:
- the scores that were assigned to you by each lender are listed in this section;
- public records and other information.
Some inaccurate information may have crept in your credit report. Unfortunately such data could have negative impacts on your credit score. Therefore, if you find errors, report them without delay to the relevant credit agency:
The credit rating explained
Each time you resort to credit, the lender assigns you a rating using codes. Codes are composed of numbers and letters.
Numbers range from 1 and 9. A rating of 1 means that you make your payments within 30Â days of the due date. Conversely, a rating of 9 shows that you no longer pay your debts, you filed a consumer proposal or you declared bankruptcy.
As for the letter, it specifies the type of loan granted:
- the I refers to installment credit (car loan, for example);
- the O refers to open status credit (line of credit or student loan, for example);
- the R refers to revolving credit (credit card, for example).
Obtaining your credit score for a fee
The credit score is another indicator of your financial health. It reveals the risk you represent for lenders compared with other consumers.
Credit agencies use a scale ranging from 300 to 900 to determine your credit score. The higher the score, the lower the risk will be perceived by the lender. A low score will conversely be considered as presenting a risk, and may therefore have negative effects. In the latter case, a bank might, for example, refuse to make a loan or do so but charge a higher interest rate.
Unlike the credit report, the credit score is not offered free of charge. Equifax and TransUnion charge a fee to provide you with this information. Both agencies also offer various other services, including protection against identity theft.
Examples of credit reports and credit scores
For information purposes, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) website provides consumers with examples of credit reports and credit scores.
The FCAC website also offers a description of the credit rating codes.
Do not hesitate to contact a Ginsberg Gingras professional should you need further information on your credit report or credit score. Whether you wish to know more about the impact of your debts on your credit or find out tricks to rebuild your credit, we will always be happy to help you.