TL;DR: In Canada, a credit freeze (sometimes called a security freeze) is placed separately with each of the two major credit bureaus — Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada — since Canada does not have a third major bureau equivalent to the US system.
How to Freeze Your Credit in Canada — a clear, step-by-step guide to what to do and how long it takes.
Step 1: Understand the Canadian credit freeze system
In Canada, a credit freeze (sometimes called a security freeze) is placed separately with each of the two major credit bureaus — Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada — since Canada does not have a third major bureau equivalent to the US system.
Step 2: Contact Equifax Canada
Request a security freeze directly through Equifax Canada's consumer site or by phone, verifying your identity with your personal details.
Step 3: Contact TransUnion Canada
Separately request a freeze with TransUnion Canada, since it maintains its own independent file and a freeze at Equifax does not extend to it.
Step 4: Keep your confirmation details
Each bureau will give you a confirmation number or login you'll need to lift the freeze later when applying for credit.
Step 5: Report the underlying identity theft too
If the freeze is in response to suspected fraud, also report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre so there's an official record alongside the freeze.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading How to Freeze Your Credit (US).
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see How to Get a New Social Security Number After Theft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Step 1: Understand the Canadian credit freeze system
In Canada, a credit freeze (sometimes called a security freeze) is placed separately with each of the two major credit bureaus — Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada — since Canada does not have a third major bureau equivalent to the US system.
Step 2: Contact Equifax Canada
Request a security freeze directly through Equifax Canada's consumer site or by phone, verifying your identity with your personal details.
Step 3: Contact TransUnion Canada
Separately request a freeze with TransUnion Canada, since it maintains its own independent file and a freeze at Equifax does not extend to it.
Step 4: Keep your confirmation details
Each bureau will give you a confirmation number or login you'll need to lift the freeze later when applying for credit.
Step 5: Report the underlying identity theft too
If the freeze is in response to suspected fraud, also report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre so there's an official record alongside the freeze.