Five practical steps for managing your credit file

Start with what you control

1. Pay at least the minimum on time and contact your lender promptly if difficulties arise. Alerts can help you avoid a missed due date.

2. Watch credit utilization. FCAC suggests aiming below 30%, not as a score guarantee. 3. Review your own report and dispute errors with the appropriate organizations.

Avoid expensive shortcuts

4. Avoid unnecessary applications. FCAC recommends obtaining car-loan quotes within two weeks for credit-bureau inquiry treatment.

5. Keep a stable history you can manage; an older no-fee account may be useful. Do not take out a new loan merely to diversify credit products or pay for promises to erase accurate information.

Your checklist

• Set due-date reminders.
• Check utilization and errors without uploading your file here.
• Choose a manageable plan rather than promised score gains.

Worked example

Using $1,000 of a $5,000 limit is 20% utilization. This illustrates a ratio, not your score calculation or an eligible borrowing rate.

Limits

This guide does not access a credit bureau, run an inquiry or collect your score, SIN or account numbers. Outcomes vary.

One question, if you wish

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Sources

• ACFC / FCAC — Improving your credit score — 2026-11-13

Related reading

• Prime, near-prime and alternative credit: compare without labels
• Using your bank or credit union to finance a car