When is your credit file actually created?

CreditCardChris

Obviously you don't have a credit file when you're born but at some point down the line a credit file appears and from that moment on everything you do credit wise is tied to it, but where does it come from? 
Let's say a 20 year old has never had a bank account or any credit whatsoever, do they still have a credit file out there in the ether somewhere? Or is it created when you apply for your first bank account or something?

Thrugelmir

Be created the moment someone makes an enquiry on you. 

CreditCardChris

Thrugelmir said:

Be created the moment someone makes an enquiry on you. 

How can they if there's no credit file to verify in the first place? There's nowhere for them to do an enquiry on you.

jay1804

CreditCardChris said:

Thrugelmir said:

Be created the moment someone makes an enquiry on you. 

How can they if there's no credit file to verify in the first place? There's nowhere for them to do an enquiry on you.

If they are unable to verify you details they might offer you a basic account if they have one.

floppydisk1

You credit file is basically your financial footprint so it makes sense that it's created the moment you leave your first financial footprint or any recordable information ( be it full bank account- the one with credit facilities, you are on electoral roll, student loan, take on some mobile phone contract or utilities  etc... ) Normally at 18, or soon after you turn 18 as at that age you start your own contracts and also you are eligible to vote and such. So I'd say for anyone born or grown up here at, or soon after you turn 18, for people who come to live here later in their lives as soon as they leave any financial footprint. Whatever you do in financial sense is reported to CRA's , once reported you are on their databases, so  your file is created.

CreditCardChris

floppydisk1 said:

You credit file is basically your financial footprint so it makes sense that it's created the moment you leave your first financial footprint or any recordable information ( be it full bank account- the one with credit facilities, you are on electoral roll, student loan, take on some mobile phone contract or utilities  etc... ) Normally at 18, or soon after you turn 18 as at that age you start your own contracts and also you are eligible to vote and such. So I'd say for anyone born or grown up here at, or soon after you turn 18, for people who come to live here later in their lives as soon as they leave any financial footprint. Whatever you do in financial sense is reported to CRA's , once reported you are on their databases, so  your file is created.

Thanks. I was just curious because I've heard of people who're like 30 and have been in prison all their life or homeless and then when they try to get a bank account the person literally doesn't have a credit file for the bank to check. As far as the bank is CRA's go they've been a ghost.

Can't people with no credit file and verifiable financial / address history get a basic bank account? At least that would allow them to get basic things like benefits and such.     

yksi

Yes, they can - you need a provable address and ID. I would presume that this kickstarts a credit file for them if they are not already on the electoral roll.