Every Friday consumer reporter Lynda Steele dips into the CTV mailbag to answer viewer questions. This week, Steele on Your Side looks at credit reports and the Target security breach.
Free credit reports
Harry wrote Steele on Your Side after watching our story about a Surrey woman who couldn't get a new Bay card because the credit reporting agencies claimed she was dead. Harry wants to know how you can check your credit record.
Anyone can check their credit rating through Transunion, and it’s free. The credit reporting agency told us that a customer can request their credit report as often as they want.
You can get the report sent to your home or you can get a copy at one of Transunion's walk-in offices. But you must provide valid identification to verify your identity.
Equifax will also mail you free credit reports. You can call, mail or fax your request in and you must provide two pieces of government I.D.
You can also get an instant credit report online. Equifax charges $15.50 and Transunion charges $16.95.
Target security breach
Baden wrote CTV News after shopping at Target in Bellingham, Washington state. He had concerns after learning about the retail giant’s massive credit card security breach that's affected more than 110-million customers.
The company said it's offering free credit monitoring for its U.S. customers, but Baden wants to know what protection there is for Canadians who shopped at Target.
Target told us it is also offering free credit monitoring to Canadian customers who were impacted by the security breach.
The company will be contacting its customers directly as soon as it has more details about the "appropriate credit monitoring product" for Canada. Once that's sorted out those customers can expect to receive an email from the company with more details.
