Why am I getting a thin file?

For some reason, our credit report provider (Experian) did not have enough information about your credit profile to provide a full report and score (also known as having a thin file).

A "thin file" means you don't have much of a track record with credit. Either you have only a few accounts, or your credit is relatively new.

You may have a thin credit file if you are young and just opened your first credit card account, new to this country and just learning how to establish credit or if you are an older person and you haven’t used credit in a very long time. You also may have a thin credit file if you prefer not to borrow and use very few credit accounts.

In these situations, it can be difficult to accurately provide a credit score since, in essence, there is no past history to score against.

If you're hoping to apply for credit soon, take some steps to build your credit to a creditworthy state before you do so.