Financial abuse is an insidious and effective form of control. It can involve an abuser running up debts in your name, destroying your credit score, hiding assets, or controlling your access to money. The damage goes far beyond your bank account; a poor credit history can prevent you from renting an apartment, getting a car, or even qualifying for a cell phone plan—creating a major barrier to starting a new, independent life.

Reclaiming your financial identity is a critical act of empowerment. It takes time and patience, but it is achievable. This step-by-step guide is designed to help survivors in Ontario navigate the process.

You cannot fix what you cannot see. The first step is to get a complete picture of your credit history from both of Canada's national credit bureaus. They may have different information, so you must check both.

• Equifax Canada: Visit their official website or call their automated line to request your free report by mail.

• TransUnion Canada: Visit their website to access your "Consumer Disclosure," which is a free copy of your report.

You are legally entitled to one free report from each bureau per year by mail. Review it carefully.

With your reports in hand, take a deep breath and go through them line by line. Use a highlighter to mark anything that is incorrect or suspicious. Look for:

• Accounts You Don’t Recognize: Any credit card, loan, or line of credit you did not open.

• Incorrect Balances: Debts on joint accounts that were run up without your knowledge or consent.

• Unexpected Late Payments: Missed payments on accounts the abuser was responsible for paying.

• Incorrect Personal Information: Wrong addresses or employers you've never worked for, which can be a sign of identity fraud.

Create a log of every suspicious item, noting the creditor, account number, amount, and the reason you are flagging it.

Before you start disputing debts, you need to stop any further damage.

1. Separate Your Finances: Close all joint bank accounts and credit cards. Open new accounts in your name only, ideally at a completely different bank.
2. Place Fraud Alerts: Contact both Equifax and TransUnion and ask to place a fraud alert (also called an identity alert) on your file. This tells creditors that they must take extra steps to verify your identity before issuing any new credit in your name, making it much harder for an abuser to open new fraudulent accounts.

This is the most challenging step, but it is crucial.

• File a Police Report: For any clear case of fraud or identity theft (e.g., accounts opened without your knowledge), go to your local police service and file a report. While this can be an intimidating process, a police report number is the most powerful piece of evidence you can have.

• Contact the Creditor's Fraud Department: Call the bank or credit card company for each fraudulent account. Explain that you are a victim of fraud and provide the police report number.

• File Official Disputes with the Credit Bureaus: Both Equifax and TransUnion have online forms to dispute inaccuracies on your credit report. Submit a dispute for each fraudulent item, attaching a copy of your police report and any other evidence you have. They are legally required to investigate.

• Add a Consumer Statement: For debts that are technically yours but were a result of coercion, you can add a 100-word "consumer statement" to your credit report. This note allows you to explain the circumstances of the debt to any future creditor who pulls your file.

Once you have started the cleanup process, you need to begin creating a new, positive credit history.

• Open a Secured Credit Card: This is the single most effective tool for rebuilding credit. You provide a small security deposit (e.g., $300-$500), and that amount becomes your credit limit. Major Canadian banks and companies like Capital One or Home Trust offer these.

• Use It Sparingly and Pay It Off: Use the secured card for one small, recurring purchase each month (like a coffee, a transit pass, or a streaming service). Pay the entire balance in full before the due date, every single month. This demonstrates responsible credit use and will slowly begin to raise your score.

• Monitor Your Progress: Sign up for a free credit monitoring service (offered by many banks or companies like Borrowell and Credit Karma) to watch your score improve over time.

You don't have to do this alone. These non-profit organizations can help.

• Credit Canada Debt Solutions: A non-profit credit counselling agency that can provide free advice, help you create a budget, and communicate with creditors.

• Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic: While focused on legal support for women survivors of violence, their expertise extends to the legal and financial fallout of abuse.

• Prosper Canada: A national charity dedicated to expanding economic opportunity for Canadians living in poverty through financial literacy and empowerment programs.

Rebuilding your credit is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient and kind with yourself. Every step you take is a move towards reclaiming your independence and building a safe, secure future that is entirely your own.

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The very first step is to understand exactly where you stand. You need to get a copy of your credit reports from both of Canada's credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion. You are entitled to a free copy of your report by mail. Review every single item carefully to identify all accounts, debts, and any fraudulent activity you may not have been aware of. This report is your roadmap for the entire rebuilding process.

This is a form of fraud. Your first move is to contact the fraud departments of Equifax and TransUnion to place a fraud alert on your file. Next, you should file a report with your local police service (e.g., Toronto Police Service). A police report number is crucial evidence when disputing fraudulent debts with creditors. You can then send a copy of the police report and a written dispute to the creditor for each fraudulent account, stating that you are a victim of identity theft and financial abuse.

You must untangle your joint finances as quickly as possible. Make a list of all joint bank accounts, credit cards, and lines of credit. Contact each financial institution and ask to close the joint accounts or, if the bank allows, have your name removed. If you cannot close an account without the other person's consent, ask the bank to put a note on the file requiring two signatures for all transactions to prevent further abuse. Open new bank accounts in your name only at a completely different financial institution.

One of the best tools for rebuilding credit safely is a secured credit card. You provide a small deposit to the credit card issuer (e.g., $300), and that amount becomes your credit limit. This minimizes risk for the lender. As you use the card for small purchases and—most importantly—pay the bill in full and on time every month, the lender will report your positive payment history to the credit bureaus. This is a direct and effective way to start adding positive information to your credit file.

You don't have to do this alone. Ontario has several non-profit credit counselling agencies that can provide invaluable assistance. Organizations like Credit Counselling Canada can connect you with a local non-profit counsellor who can help you create a realistic budget, provide guidance on managing debt, and act as a neutral third party to negotiate with creditors if needed. Their services are often free or very low-cost.

Rebuilding credit is a marathon, not a sprint, but you can see progress sooner than you think. If you follow the steps above, particularly by using a secured credit card responsibly, you could start to see positive changes in your credit score within six months to a year. The single most important factor for long-term success is consistency. Pay every single bill on time, every time. This consistent, positive payment history is the foundation of a strong credit score.