How are credit reporting agencies regulated?
Federal and provincial privacy and credit reporting regulations grant consumers important rights regarding credit files and related matters, although these regulations vary by province. As well, information provided by credit reporting agencies also varies by agency. Generally speaking, by law you have the right to: • Know what your credit file contains • Be told by a credit reporting agency the nature, substance, and sources of the information • Have information deleted that cannot be verified • Receive a free copy of your credit file by mail, if you request in writing and include acceptable photocopied identification • Have derogatory, credit-related information deleted after seven years (may vary by province and credit reporting agency) • Review your credit file in person • Know who has received your credit file in the past year • Take someone (lawyer, friend, relative, etc.) with you to review your file • Include a brief written statement as a part of your credit file • Have disput
