Ontario woman surprised after 20-year-old fines suddenly tank credit score

An Ontario woman says that she was shocked when provincial fines from 20 years ago suddenly tanked her credit score last week, but the situation may not be as unusual as it seems, according to at least debt expert.

An Ontario woman says she was shocked when provincial fines from 20 years ago suddenly tanked her credit score last week, but according to at least debt expert, the situation may not be as unusual as it seems.

Lisa Prosser, 38, saw several derogatory marks appear on her credit score for the first time last Monday, tied to $1,000 in outstanding fines.

“I pay all my bills. So I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, what is this?’” she told CTV News Toronto.

Prosser said she checks her credit score regularly, and came across the untimely fines as she was conducting a check in preparation to sell her house in Windsor, Ont. Her mortgage payments had increased $500 per month, making moving in with her mother-in-law in Toronto and consolidating finances a necessity.

The fines, added to her report on December 15, 2023, were from the City of Toronto. But after calling around to government offices and collection agencies, Prosser learned that three offences dated back to when she was 17 years old, and another two to when she was 22 years old, and living in Toronto.

Details on the offences were limited, listing brief descriptions, such as vending prohibited, keep, sell or offer liquor, no licence, and health protection act. Beyond these labels, Prosser has no idea what the fines are for and the only way she can find out is by visiting a Toronto courthouse, she said.

“It could be applied for jaywalking, drinking in the park … it could be anything like that, like, who knows?” Prosser said.