SIN and Identity Fraud

[Sihs]

Hello everyone;

can someone please throw a bit of light on providing our SIN to employers when applying for a job as well as landloards when renting a house. As ther are many incidents of identity fraud in the US (not sure about Canada) ???, and one of the main ways of protecting your info is by protection your SIN and not giving it to anyone.

Any thought would be appreciated .

 

[Alurra71]

Your employer MUST have your SIN for tax reporting purposes.

I am not sure about landlords and such in Canada. I know in the US they can legally ask for your SS# so they can perform a credit check before renting/leasing you a property. It might very well be the same here in Canada, however my husband and I own our home so I haven't encountered this yet.

 

[Sihs]

Thank you Alurra71 for your reply

 

[Alurra71]

I would add though, that you do not have to disclose your SIN on a job application. You can disclose it if/when you are offered the job and accept it. It is the same as it is in the US.

I would also clarify with a potential landlord how/why they require my SIN and what the purpose of it is. If it is anything OTHER than checking my credit to ensure I would be a good tenant, then I would be wary of disclosing this information to them.

The same also holds true for getting phone calls at home. Never never NEVER disclose your SIN to a caller on the phone unless you know this person and are sure of their reason for the need for it. If you get a call from your bank/credit card company, inform them you will call them back at the number disclosed on your card/statement to ensure the call is valid. Any company that 'argues' with you that this is not necessary and that you have to give them this information is not trying to help you.

 

[Sihs]

Thank you so much for the update

 

[newtone]

Unless your landlord is paying you money for living in his house he is not supposed to ask for your SIN. As a matter of fact you should ask for his SIN because you are giving him money at the end of the month

 

[jatt-going-canada]

if someone wants to do a credit check ..give them your credit card ... at least credit card is covered against fraud...
You have to give sin number to your employer for tax purposes..

 

[steerpike]

Dont give anyone your SIN except the HR dept at work atfer you are hired, and possibly the bank if you are opening a new account.

It is not needed for a credit check (and most landlords don't do a credit check, do they? ive never had one done for that purpose and ive rented more than 10 different apts in my life).

Never give it to your landlord.

 

[Revolute]

Hi
Hope this helps

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sin/info/yoursin.shtml

 

[Katayoon]

For government jobs that require security checks SIN is requested even before job is offered. No SIN --> no security check --> no job offer.
Also SIN is requested by telecom companies when you open account with them but you can provide another piece of canadian ID instead.

Dont give anyone your SIN except the HR dept at work atfer you are hired, and possibly the bank if you are opening a new account.

It is not needed for a credit check (and most landlords don't do a credit check, do they? ive never had one done for that purpose and ive rented more than 10 different apts in my life).

Never give it to your landlord.