Are you thinking of checking your credit score to know your financial options? Credit Karma Canada provides a free credit score and credit report online. Although various web-based credit report service providers exist, most of their results do not match lenders’ information to determine your financial status.
You probably wonder how a free-to-use service like Credit Karma Canada could be reliable in determining an accurate credit score.
An Overview of Credit Karma Canada
| Name | Credit Karma Canada |
| Website | www.creditkarma.ca |
| Founder(s) | Kenneth Lin |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Price | Free |
| Credit Score | Yes |
| Credit Report | Yes |
| Credit Monitoring | Yes |
| Mobile App | Yes |
| Credit Bureau | TransUnion and Equifax |
| Credit Score Update | Weekly |
| User Base | Over 75 million in USA and Canada |
| Available in | Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Nova Scotia |
| Not Available | Quebec, Yukon, Nunavut, and Northwest Territories |
Credit Karma Canada is a personal finance company that provides users free access to credit scores, credit reports, and online credit monitoring. Credit Karma Canada prides itself as Canada’s largest provider of free credit ratings.
Founded in 2007 in the US, the FinTech platform was launched in Canada in November 2016 to expand its operations. Credit Karma is available across Canada in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan.
With over 75 million members in the United States and Canada, Credit Karma helps Canadians gain insight into their finances and credit information to improve their financial standing.
How Credit Karma Canada Works
Credit Karma Canada provides a free service to simplify credit and finance for millions of Canadian residents. To enjoy the complete functionality of Credit Karma Canada, you need to register as a platform member.
To use the Credit Karma Canada platform, you must provide your basic personal information and spending habits. Credit Karma Canada gives you a free credit score and credit report in exchange for the information provided.
The credit scores and credit reports come from TransUnion and Equifax, two major credit bureaus in Canada. Subsequently, Credit Karma will compile your VantageScore based on your provided information.
The final credit score should be the same as or similar to your FICO score. Lending institutions use the FICO Score to make reliable, accurate, and fast credit risk decisions.
How to Set Up Your Credit Karma Canada Account
The sign-up process on Credit Karma Canada to access the credit score and credit report service is simple and effortless.
Step 1: Go to the Credit Karma Canada website and click on the Sign-Up tab located at the top right corner of the page.
Step 2: Enter your email address and create a password of eight characters or more to create an account.
Step 3: Fill in your personal information, including your name, address, province, postal code, date of birth, social insurance number (SIN), and more. This information is required to verify your identity with TransUnion for an accurate credit report. Click on the Next Step after completing the required information.
Step 4: Verify your identity to access your TransUnion credit score at no cost.
Will Using Credit Karma Affect My Credit Score?
Checking your credit score on Credit Karma Canada is a soft inquiry. Thus, it does not affect or lower your credit score.
Is Credit Karma Canada Legit or a Scam?
Credit Karma Canada is a legitimate free financial service website that provides accurate information on your credit score and credit report from personal experience and positive user reviews.
You don’t have to pay any money, not even a cent, to enjoy the service. Besides, you’re not required to submit your credit card information before accessing your credit ratings.
Credit Karma Canada Features and Services
In addition to providing credit score and credit report services, Credit Karma also offers other related services, including:
- Free credit monitoring service.
- Weekly credit score and report updates.
- Easy to use mobile app for remote credit access.
- Personalized financial product recommendations include credit card offers, car loans, insurance, mortgage, etc.
How Accurate Is the Credit Karma Canada Report?
There are three major consumer credit agencies in Canada – TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. These credit bureaus store your credit information. Credit Karma Canada provides VantageScore credit scores independently from TransUnion and Equifax, two of Canada’s major credit bureaus.
Just like the FICO Score, VantageScore uses a credit range of 300 to 900. In Canada, a good credit score is considered to be in the range of 650 and above.
| Poor | 300 – 599 |
| Fair | 600 – 649 |
| Good | 650 – 719 |
| Very Good | 720 – 799 |
| Excellent | 800 – 900 |
How Does Credit Karma Canada Make Money?
Credit Karma generates revenue through advertising and affiliate marketing to provide free credit services to Canadians.
With your personal data, Credit Karma can learn more about your spending patterns and provide you with financial product recommendations, such as credit cards or third-party loans. Credit Karma charges companies and lenders to serve targeted ads and offers based on your financial habit.
When you respond to an Ad or sign up for a product through one of the links, the bank or lender will pay Credit Karma Canada for the referral.
Is It Safe to Use Credit Karma Canada?
Credit Karma Canada has a secure connection to safeguard the information of its users from unauthorized access. The website uses 128-bit encryption to protect data transmission between the server and users of the platform.
The company also claims that it does not share your personal information with affiliate third parties for marketing purposes. Your privacy is highly guaranteed.
They also have independent, third-party experts who regularly assess and validate their site security.
Credit Karma Canada Mobile App
Credit Karma Canada has an easy-to-use and interactive mobile application. The mobile app is equipped with smart tools to provide you with a free credit score and credit report functionality to aid your financial progress.
The Credit Karma Canada mobile app is available for download on the Google play store and apple store for android and iOS users.
Credit Karma Canada FAQs
Is Credit Karma Canada available in other languages?
Yes, Credit Karma Canada service is available in English and French languages.
How often does my credit report information update?
Updates from TransUnion are available through your Credit Karma account every seven days interval. Log in to your account to have access to the update.
The Verdict
Credit Karma Canada is generally safe and free. Millions of Canadians use Credit Karma to monitor their credit, including their credit scores and credit reports.
