Free Credit Report? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

MJK · 01-14-2009, 12:27 PM

I know I have good credit but have always wondered what exactly my credit report says. Is there anywhere I can view this information for free?

I see several websites but am not sure what ones are legit.

Can anyone help? Thanks.

HelloHockeyFans · 01-14-2009, 12:30 PM

Canadians are allowed one free credit report each year through:

a) www.equifax.ca
b) www.transunion.ca or
c) www.creditbureau.ca

loob job · 01-14-2009, 12:38 PM

i just paid 23.95 on the weekend through equifax, it was worth it. Received my credit score in two minutes. Gave my FICO score and listed all my loans, credit cards etc. Some of which i thought were cancelled but weren't. Also, if you go on equifax etc. to get your own credit score it doesn't affect your score like some people think. It's only when banks etc. check your credit that it affects it. Everyone should check their credit score once a year to make sure it is accurate.

CaptainCrunch · 01-14-2009, 12:40 PM

I agree with Loob job dere. You tend to get more information through the paid for equifax report.

HelloHockeyFans · 01-14-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loob job

i just paid 23.95 on the weekend through equifax, it was worth it. Received my credit score in two minutes. Gave my FICO score and listed all my loans, credit cards etc. Some of which i thought were cancelled but weren't. Also, if you go on equifax etc. to get your own credit score it doesn't affect your score like some people think. It's only when banks etc. check your credit that it affects it. Everyone should check their credit score once a year to make sure it is accurate.

Yup. Something everyone should do once a year.

Prototype · 01-14-2009, 12:48 PM

When a bank or other company pulls your credit, it's considered a "Soft Hit". You'll lose 2-3 points, and if your credit is good, you'll recover that in no time. If you do it 5 times in 5 days, or something along those lines, they consider that "Credit Searching" (ie - you know you aren't approved, but looking for someone to slip), that's harder to recover.

Equifax has a few options. You can pay to get your history right away, as indicated above, or you can request that the send you a copy in the mail, which is free. And as stated, it's not a "Soft Hit". You don't get dinged if you go through Equifax.

I haven't heard of a legit online service. I haven't heard bad things either. Most people aren't in that much of a rush to know their credit score, but it's something I highly reccomend people look into, as I see people on a regular basis who don't know that something is on their report that shouldn't be, or that is hurting their score, until they see their report.

flamesfever · 01-14-2009, 01:09 PM

Out of curiosity, I checked my credit rating a while ago, and found out that my credit rating was directly affected by the number of agencies I have signed up to do credit with. This happens even though one signs up but never uses the agency.

For example, I recall signing up for a credit card at the Saddledome to receive a free something-or-other, and athough I never used the card, it still had the affect of lowering my credit rating. I think it takes something like 5 years of non-use before an agency is dropped from your file.

For credit rating purposes, I have found it pays to establish credit with as few places as possible, preferably with only one if you can manage it i.e. a large bank.

MJK · 01-14-2009, 01:15 PM

Well I just paid 23.95 for the equifax report. Man I have applied for a lot of credit cards! hahah

Interesting to see, thats for sure. My credit score is decent so that's good. I am 725.

pepper24 · 01-14-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamesfever

Out of curiosity, I checked my credit rating a while ago, and found out that my credit rating was directly affected by the number of agencies I have signed up to do credit with. This happens even though one signs up but never uses the agency.

For example, I recall signing up for a credit card at the Saddledome to receive a free something-or-other, and athough I never used the card, it still had the affect of lowering my credit rating. I think it takes something like 5 years of non-use before an agency is dropped from your file.

For credit rating purposes, I have found it pays to establish credit with as few places as possible, preferably with only one if you can manage it i.e. a large bank.

Agreed, that's why I only stick with credit cards from my bank. A buddy in banking told me this years ago so I've been aware to stay away but unfortunately not that many people are aware of this.

A Flames blanket will keep you warm in the winter and win you the girl but can have an affect on your credit score.

Prototype · 01-14-2009, 01:24 PM

Anything over 700 is a healthy score.

MoneyGuy · 01-14-2009, 01:27 PM

A credit score over 750 is considered very good. I saw some clients yesterday and I asked about their debts. They have a LOC and another loan both at P - 1%, which is exceptional. It's because they have an exceptional credit score. I feel it's really important to protect your credit score by doing an annual check and by doing the right things like not filling out those crap apps for a credit card and a free t-shirt at a booth at some mall.

HelloHockeyFans · 01-14-2009, 01:54 PM

Here's a related question I got over lunch today from a friend:

My friend wants to switch over to a different credit card. She already has a "regular" VISA with no bells and whistles, but she wants to move over to a VISA Gold Rewards card since she's not getting any right now through her normal card.

If she does a switch, will this affect her credit? Will the bank have to do a look on her credit history even though she's essentially just upgrading her card?

MJK · 01-14-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

Here's a related question I got over lunch today from a friend:

My friend wants to switch over to a different credit card. She already has a "regular" VISA with no bells and whistles, but she wants to move over to a VISA Gold Rewards card since she's not getting any right now through her normal card.

If she does a switch, will this affect her credit? Will the bank have to do a look on her credit history even though she's essentially just upgrading her card?

I am pretty sure if she is sticking with the same bank and is just doing a card swap/upgrade, they won't need to do a credit check. But I am not 100% sure.

HelloHockeyFans · 01-14-2009, 02:34 PM

Cool, I'll let her know, but I know she also asked her bank for info too...

Prototype · 01-14-2009, 02:39 PM

They may, just to try and get her an increase on her limits, but as a banker, I'm not permitted to pull anyone's credit without them knowing about it. I doubt they would either. They may try to get her to agree to one, but if it's a straight up trade, shouldn't need one.

ken0042 · 01-14-2009, 02:52 PM

If you are looking for the info for the "free" credit report, it is burried pretty deep on their website- which makes sense as they want you to pay for the better product they offer.

Madman · 01-14-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

If you are looking for the info for the "free" credit report, it is burried pretty deep on their website- which makes sense as they want you to pay for the better product they offer.

http://www.equifax.com/contact_us/en_ca

Right hand side under "Related Resources" - but it looks like there is no option to order a free one online.

RW99 · 01-14-2009, 03:54 PM

I have a question. I have one collector that I'm paying off (more than the minimums), but they don't have my personal information. If I get a report through Equifax, will the collector be able to obtain all my details (ie phone number)?

Re: changing the type of card through your bank.

I have a CIBC Classic Visa and they wont let me get a Divident Visa (ie lower interest, yearly fee). They carry the same requirements, but as I have bad credit, they wont let me switch. Funny, they kept trying to increase my credit limit though...

GoinAllTheWay · 01-14-2009, 04:10 PM

Ok, Equifax seems TERRIBLE. Great start for me. After filling out the long form, I get a note back saying they can confirm my ID and I would need to contact them. Call them up and start my way through that horribly long voice menu that is filled with sounds loops and stuttering voices and then the say the can't do this for me for security reasons and I need to fax my request, they then give me the number at speeds so fast I think I'll need a recorder to catch it all.

REALLY impressed with these guys so far....