Credit Freeze in Canada 2025 — Canada does not have the same legally mandated "security freeze" system as the US, but both Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada offer security alerts and extended fraud alerts that provide similar protection.
Credit Freeze in Canada 2025: How to Protect Your Score
Identity theft is a serious and growing problem in Canada. When someone obtains your personal information and uses it to apply for credit in your name, the resulting fraudulent accounts can devastate your credit score and take months or years to fully resolve. Proactive credit protection is far easier than reactive recovery.
This guide explains what credit protection tools are available to Canadians in 2025, how to place a fraud alert or security alert on your file, and what to do if you've already been a victim.
Credit Freeze vs. Fraud Alert: Canada's Options
In the US, a "credit freeze" completely locks your file so no new credit can be issued. Canada's system is different — there is no legislated right to a hard security freeze at this time. However, both bureaus offer meaningful protective tools:
| Tool | Bureau | What It Does | Cost |
|---|
| Security Alert / Fraud Alert | Equifax Canada | Flags your file — lenders must take extra steps to verify identity before issuing credit | Free |
| Security Alert | TransUnion Canada | Similar flag requiring additional verification | Free |
| Credit Monitoring | Equifax Canada | Alerts you when new inquiries or accounts appear | Free (basic) / Paid (full) |
| Credit Monitoring | TransUnion Canada | Same as above for TransUnion file | Free (basic) / Paid (full) |
How to Place a Fraud Alert on Your Equifax Canada File
- Visit equifax.ca or call 1-800-465-7166
- Request a "Fraud Alert" on your consumer file
- Provide your full name, date of birth, current address, and ID verification
- The alert is placed on your file and lenders see it when they pull your credit
- Equifax will notify you of the alert placement
With a fraud alert active, lenders are expected to take extra steps to verify your identity before extending new credit. This makes it significantly harder for an identity thief to open accounts in your name.
How to Place a Security Alert on Your TransUnion Canada File
- Visit transunion.ca or call 1-800-663-9980
- Request a security alert (also called a fraud alert)
- Provide your identity information and verify your identity
- The alert appears on your file when lenders request it
Place alerts on both bureaus: Equifax and TransUnion maintain separate files. A fraud alert on one does not automatically appear on the other. Contact both bureaus separately to protect both files.
Credit Monitoring: Your Early Warning System
Even without a freeze, active credit monitoring alerts you within hours or days of any new activity on your file — new inquiries, new accounts, address changes. Free monitoring options in Canada:
- Borrowell: Free Equifax monitoring, weekly updates, email alerts for significant changes
- Credit Karma: Free TransUnion monitoring, weekly updates
- Equifax Complete Premier: Paid plan with daily monitoring and $25,000 ID theft insurance
- TransUnion monitoring plans: Paid plans with identity theft protection features
What to Do If You're Already a Victim of Identity Theft
- File a police report: Get a copy of the report — you'll need it for disputes
- Contact both credit bureaus immediately: Place fraud alerts and request free copies of your full reports
- Review your full reports: Identify every fraudulent account and inquiry
- Dispute all fraudulent items: With both Equifax and TransUnion, referencing your police report
- Contact each creditor directly: Notify the fraud department of every institution where fraudulent accounts were opened
- Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: 1-888-495-8501 or antifraudcentre.ca
- Consider a credit monitoring subscription: To catch any new fraudulent activity quickly
Be aware of "credit repair" scams: Some companies promise to "freeze" your credit for a fee or claim to remove all negative items for payment. These are scams. Everything legitimate credit protection services offer can be done yourself for free directly through the bureaus.
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Provincial Privacy Commissioner Contacts
If your personal information was misused and you're not getting resolution, contact your provincial privacy commissioner:
- Federal (PIPEDA): priv.gc.ca — Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
- Ontario: ipc.on.ca
- BC: oipc.bc.ca
- Alberta: oipc.ab.ca
- Quebec: cai.gouv.qc.ca