Get a free, no obligation personal loan quote with rates as low as 9.99%
Get Started You can apply with no impact to your credit score

Your credit history is recorded on your credit report with the credit bureaus in Canada, including TransUnion. This report plays a key role in your creditworthiness and gives lenders and creditors a clear picture of how responsible you are with your debt. 

But it’s possible for mistakes to show up on your credit report, which can have a negative impact on your credit scores. So, what can you do if you find errors on your credit report? 

Read on to find out how to conduct a TransUnion credit dispute to have an error fixed on your credit report.

Key Points

  • Checking your TransUnion credit report regularly can help you pinpoint errors early on.
  • If you notice a mistake on your TransUnion credit report, you should report it and have it rectified immediately.
  • Errors on your credit report can unfairly pull down your credit score, so it’s recommended to have them fixed immediately.

What Can You Do If You Find An Error On Your TransUnion Credit Report?

If you discover a mistake on your credit report, you should contact TransUnion immediately. It’s possible that the credit bureau will be able to fix the problem right away based on the information you provide. 

Otherwise, TransUnion will have to get in touch with the company that reported the inaccurate information to verify it with the data you’ve provided. You may need to supply documentation as proof. 

TransUnion will ask the company reporting the information to do the following:

  • Review the information you provided regarding the dispute.
  • Validate the information they provided to TransUnion.
  • Make modifications as necessary if mistakes are determined to have been made.
  • Notify you of the findings of the investigation.

TransUnion will send you information about the investigation and the modifications being made to your credit report. 

Ways To File A File A TransUnion Credit Dispute

There are a few ways to file a dispute with TransUnion:

OnlineFile a claim online by visiting TransUnion’s online portal
Telephone– English: 1-800-663-9980
– French: 1-877-713-3393
Monday through Friday, 8 am to 8 pm EST (In Quebec: 8:30 am to 5 pm EST.)
MailTo dispute your claim via mail, you’ll first need to download and complete the TransUnion form in either English or French and mail it to either one of the following addresses:

(English)
TransUnion Consumer Relations Department
3115 Harvester Road, Ste. 201
Burlington, ON
L7N 3N8

(French)
Centre de relations au consommateur TransUnion
3115 Chemin Harvester, Ste. 201
Burlington, ON
L7N 3N8

Information Required To File A Credit Dispute With TransUnion

You’ll need to provide the following information:

  • Full name
  • Birthdate
  • Current address
  • Previous address(es) if you’ve lived at your current address for less than two years
  • Disputed information from your credit report
  • Reason for your dispute
  • SIN (optional)
  • Company name you are disputing
  • Account number
  • Supporting information to back up your claim

Why You Should Always Check Your Credit Report

Information in your credit report is used to calculate your credit scores. As such, you should always be up-to-date on what’s happening on your credit report. Even if things have not changed in your financial life, you should still pull a copy of your credit report to ensure everything is accurate. 

Here are a couple of reasons why it’s important to pull your credit report regularly:

Can Affect Your Borrowing Ability 

As mentioned, your credit scores are calculated using the information on your credit reports. Thus, any mistakes on your credit reports can negatively impact your credit scores. This, in turn, can affect your ability to access credit, as lenders and creditors use your credit scores to determine whether to approve you for a loan. 

Moreover, lenders will use your credit scores to help them choose the interest rate to charge you if approved. Having good credit is crucial to getting approved for a loan and accessing lower interest rates. By checking your credit report, you’ll be able to identify if any errors on your credit report are bringing down your credit. 

Help Spot Signs Of Identify Fraud 

Another great reason to pull a copy of your credit report is to see if there are any signs of identity theft. Things such as unknown loans or credit accounts opened in your name are a classic sign. If you notice any inaccuracies, notify TransUnion right away to have them investigated. 

What’s In A Credit Report? 

Your credit report will contain key information about yourself and your credit history. While the information may slightly differ between TransUnion and Equifax, some information is generally found on credit reports from both credit bureaus, including the following:

  • Personal Information. Your name, birthdate, address, employer information, and Social Insurance Number (SIN).
  • Credit History. Your payment history on current and previous loans and credit accounts is a key component of your credit report and generally plays an important role in calculating your credit scores.
  • Public Records. If you’ve filed for bankruptcy, have a tax lien on record, or have been part of any court judgments, these will be noted on your report and could negatively impact your credit scores.
  • Credit Inquiries. When you apply for a loan or credit product, the lender will pull your credit report. This is known as a “hard pull” or “hard inquiry” and may negatively affect your credit scores, especially if you apply for too many loans within a short period.

Types Of Errors You Can Find On Your Credit Report 

The following are some of the more common inaccuracies consumers find on their credit reports:

Personal Information

Mistakes may be made in your personal data, such as the incorrect spelling of your name or the wrong address. 

Reporting Errors

Inaccuracies in reporting may occur, such as payments incorrectly shown as late or missed. Lenders may even report your account twice, leading to duplicate accounts.

Black Marks Remaining On Your Report For Longer Than Required

Certain negative remarks will remain on your credit report for a specific amount of time. The exact time they remain on your report depends on the type of information being reported. 

For instance, a first bankruptcy stays on your report for six to 10 years after discharge. However, there could be times when such details remain on your report past the maximum time allowed

Accounts You’ve Never Opened

Loans and credit accounts that have been opened in your name that you have never actually opened yourself are tell-tale signs of identity theft.

If you discover any one of these mistakes on your credit report, you should have them rectified right away.

How Do Errors Happen? 

Mistakes can easily be made on your credit report for many reasons, such as the following:

  • You’ve applied for different loans using different variations of your name.
  • When lenders and financial institutions are processing your applications, they may make some administrative errors which could lead to wrong information being reported.
  • You made a mistake yourself when filling out a loan application, such as putting down the wrong SIN or misspelling your name.
  • Payments you’ve made may be reported incorrectly due to clerical errors.

Given how easy it is for errors to occur, it’s important that you pull your credit report at least once a year to review it. If any mistakes are found, they can be investigated and fixed promptly.

Final Thoughts

The information on your credit report has a direct impact on your credit score. As such, it’s crucial that you have any mistakes on your report disputed, investigated, and fixed as quickly as possible. And the only way you’ll be able to spot these blunders is by pulling a copy of your report on a regular basis.

TransUnion Dispute FAQs

Can I add a consumer statement to my credit report?

Yes, you can add a statement of up to 100 words (or 200 words in Saskatchewan) to your credit report for free. You must submit your request in writing to TransUnion, accompanied by two pieces of identification.

What if I’m not happy with my result?

If you’re not happy with the outcome of the investigation, you can request to speak with someone at a higher level within the credit bureau or your financial institution.

What is a credit report?

A credit report is a summary of your credit history and includes information about how you handle your debt accounts, such as your payment history. The information is provided to the credit bureaus by your lenders and creditors.
Lisa Rennie avatar on Loans Canada
Lisa Rennie

Lisa has been working as a personal finance writer for more than a decade, creating unique content that helps to educate Canadian consumers in the realms of real estate, mortgages, investing and financial health. For years, she held her real estate license in Toronto, Ontario before giving it up to pursue writing within this realm and related niches. Lisa is very serious about smart money management and helping others do the same.

More From This Author

Special Offers

More From Our Experts

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Kikiff_specai_offer.png
Kikoff Review – Credit Building Plaform Now Available In Canada

By Lisa Rennie
Published on December 9, 2024

Kikoff offers a credit account designed to help you build a positive credit profile, whether from the ground up or to improve poor credit.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Credit-Card-Balance-Protection-Insurance.png
What Is Credit Card Balance Protection Insurance?

By Veronica Ott

Credit card balance protection insurance protects you financially in the event that you can’t pay your credit card bill on time.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/the-5-cs.png
The 5 C’s of Credit

By Lisa Rennie

Do you know what the 5 c's of credit are? Keep reading to learn how your financial historya and habits affect all aspects of your credit health.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Pay-Credit-Card-Bill-To-Increase-Credit-Score.png
When Should You Pay Your Credit Card Bill To Increase Your Credit Score?

By Sandra MacGregor

Find out how paying your credit card bills helps your credit score and how your statement date can affect the best time to pay it off.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/gambling-debt.png
Can Gambling Hurt Your Credit Score?

By Lisa Rennie

Does gambling affect credit score in Canada? Learn how debt from gambling can affect your finances and credit.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/how-old-do-you-have-to-be-to-get-a-credit-card-in-canada.png
How Old Do You Have To Be To Get A Credit Card In Canada?

By Jun Ho

How old do you have to be to get a credit card in Canada? Find out which credit cards you may qualify for and what the age requirements are.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tim-Hortons-Credit-Card.png
Tims® Mastercard Review 2025

By Lucas Elliott

Explore our review of the Tim Credit Card: perfect for Tims enthusiasts, offering rewarding points on everyday purchases, with no annual fee.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Identity-Protect.png
Identity Protect: A Review

By Lisa Rennie

Check out Identity Protect for a comprehensive suite of features to help protect you against identity theft.

Recognized As One Of Canada's Top Growing Companies

Why choose Loans Canada?

Apply Once &
Get Multiple Offers
Save Time
And Money
Get Your Free
Credit Score
Free
Service
Expert Tips
And Advice
Exclusive
Offers

Build Credit For Just $10/Month

With KOHO's prepaid card you can build a better credit score for just $10/month.

Koho Prepaid Credit Card