This story in last weekends Toronto Star is a prime example why Canadians need to be wary of giving out personal identification, especially your SIN (Social Insurance Number). Private corporations get away with asking you for your SIN but the fact is that rarely is there a legal requirement for you to give it to them.
The SIN is the Canadian equivalent of the American Social Security Number. This article refers only to the SIN, I don’t know what the law is on the Social Security numbers. Your SIN is not and never was meant to be used as a piece of universal identification. The program was started in 1964 as a client account number for Canada Pension and various employment insurance.
Generally speaking unless the transaction you are trying to accomplish involves you earning money, you are not required to provide your SIN to any private firm. If you are opening a bank account that is not going to earn interest, you don’t provide your SIN. If you are taking out an RRSP, opening an investment account or an interest bearing deposit account you do provide your SIN.
If you are applying for credit, the potential lender can not refuse you because you decline to disclose your SIN. You have the right to challenge any requests for it. The institution asking for it must show that there is an appropriate need for them to have it. Telling you that you must provide it because that is how they do it is not good enough.
So, why is it so important to safeguard your SIN?
- The SIN may be a key piece of information to open the door to your personal information.
- Computer technology makes it possible to use the SIN to find and match your information from one database to another; without your knowledge, a detailed profile could be drawn about you. This amounts to “data surveillance” or monitoring of your daily life, which can pose a serious threat to our privacy and autonomy.
- Your SIN can be used to steal your identity. Along with other personal information, someone may be able to use your SIN to apply for a credit card or open a bank account, rent vehicles, equipment, or accommodation in your name, leaving you responsible for the bills, charges, bad checks, and taxes.
Remember, they can ask but you don’t have to provide your Social Insurance Number until they demonstrate why it is required. For more information visit the Privacy Commissioner’s site.
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