How to Remove Incorrect Information From Your Credit Report

A Simple Breakdown of How It Works — and How to Fix Inaccuracies in Your Report

🚫 Don't Do This!

When people discover an error or outdated record on their credit report, the most common reaction is to call the credit bureau (Equifax or TransUnion) and ask them to remove it.

Unfortunately, this rarely works.

Why?

Because the credit bureau doesn’t own or originate the information on your file — they simply display what their members report to them. When you call and dispute an item, the bureau does not just take your word for it. Instead, they:

• Open a case

• Reach out to the reporting creditor for verification

And here’s the problem:
If that company still has the data on file (even if it’s outdated), they will usually confirm it — and the bureau will leave the entry on your report.

This is why many people get frustrated after spending hours on the phone with credit bureaus, only to see no change.

The real solution is to go straight to the source — the creditor — and stop the information at its root. That’s where the next steps come in.

Best Way to Remove Incorrect or Outdated Information From Your Credit Report

If you’ve found an error or outdated record on your credit report — especially something that should have been removed by now — don’t panic. You have rights, and there is a process to get it fixed.

Step 1: Get a Copy of Your Credit Report

Before you can fix anything, you need to see what’s being reported about you.

• Request a copy of your credit report from both Equifax and TransUnion — the two main credit bureaus in Canada.

• You are entitled to at least one free report per bureau per year.

• It’s best to get both, because some lenders report to only one bureau.

Where to request:

• Equifax Free Credit Report (Canada)

• TransUnion Free Credit Report (Canada)

Step 2: Find Out Who Reported the Information

Once you have your reports in hand, look for the entry you believe is incorrect or outdated.

Each record will include:

• The name of the reporting creditor (e.g., a lender, telecom, utility)

• Their contact information — phone number or mailing address

This is who you need to contact directly.

Step 3: Ask Which Bureau They Used

If you’re unsure which bureau (Equifax or TransUnion) received the report, you have the right to ask the company directly.

💡 Helpful tip: If you were denied credit based on information from a credit report, the lender is legally required to tell you which credit bureau they pulled your report from.

So don’t hesitate to ask:

“Which credit bureau did you use to assess my application?”

Step 4: Focus Your Efforts on the Reporting Company

Now here’s the most important step.

Credit bureaus only display what their member companies send them. If outdated information remains on your file, it means the original company still has your record in their database and is actively sharing it with the bureau.

To fix it, you need to:

• Contact that company directly

• Request that they stop reporting the outdated or inaccurate information

Best Way to Reach Out: In Writing

Don’t just call.
Always communicate in writing — through email or certified mail — so you have a paper trail.

In your message:

• Clearly state what’s wrong

• Include a copy of your credit report highlighting the error

• Ask them to stop reporting it to the bureaus

• Mention your rights under Canadian consumer protection laws

• Request written confirmation when the record is removed

Know Your Rights

If the company refuses to fix or remove incorrect information, you can escalate.

You can:

• File a dispute directly with the credit bureau (with documentation)

• Report the creditor to the Consumer Protection Office in your province

• Contact the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) for further support

📌 Reporting outdated or invalid data may be a violation of consumer law, and companies can face fines if they fail to correct it.

Final Thought

Fixing your credit doesn’t always mean calling the credit bureau — in fact, that’s often the slowest route.

Instead, go straight to the source.
When the reporting company stops sharing the data, the bureau stops displaying it. Simple.

If you need help reviewing your credit reports or figuring out what to do next, I’m here to support you.
As a certified credit counsellor, I can walk you through the process and help you move one step closer to financial freedom.

That face you make after calling the credit bureau… and nothing changes.
Don’t worry — there’s a smarter way to fix your report.
(Image from Unsplash)