 |
|||
|
HOLLAND
COLLEGE • January 14, 2003
|
|||
|
|
INSIDE |
COLLEGE
|
|
|
|
|||
| Questioning
the use of your social insurance number By Garnet livingstone We often give out our name, address and phone number without ever thinking twice, but what about your social insurance number? Every day we give this information freely without knowing who is permitted to have it. Recently the Charlottetown business Rentown began a new policy of wanting clients to give their SIN number. “ By law we can`t ask for your SIN number but if you don`t volunteer it, we won`t rent to you,” said Rentown salesperson Mandy. Gary Palmer, regional manager of RTO Enterprises in Nova Scotia explained their policy, “We have the right to ask for your SIN number and you have the right not to give it, our policy is if the order form is not completed, such as giving only five references instead of six, we can refuse you a rental,” Palmer said. “Not including your SIN number is considered an incomplete form.” There are only a select number of federal government departments and programs authorized to collect the SIN. Private businesses may ask for your SIN, but under the federal privacy law they are not permitted to obtain and use your SIN number, the reason behind this being it`s a key piece of information used to acquire your personal information. Information obtained from the Federal Privacy Commission states, your SIN can be used to steal your identity, and use it to apply for a credit card, open a bank account, rent equipment, vehicles, or accommodations in your name, leaving you responsible for bills, bad cheques and charges. Federal Privacy Commissioner George Radwansky in Ottawa explains the use of the Social Insurance number, “Organizations in and outside government ask for and use the SIN as a simple method of identification, such as, an employer can collect an employee`s SIN to provide them with a record of employment and T-4 slips for the purpose of income tax,” Radwansky says. “Institutions from which you earn interest or income, such as banks, credit unions and trust companies, must also ask for your SIN.” Radwansky said there are a number of measures to protect your personal information, “If a company asks you for your SIN, ask if you are required by law to provide it, why the person needs it, how it will be used and to whom it will be given,” Radwansky added. “The SIN is not a piece of identification and if it`s not required by law, and you are not satisfied with the explanation given, tell the person you would prefer not to use the SIN and offer other identification. “If they refuse to give you the product or service unless you give your SIN, complain to the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.” As of Jan. 1, 2004, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents (PIPED) Act will cover the collection, use and disclosure of personal information in the course of any commercial activity within a province. This means unless an organization can show your SIN is required by law, or no other identifier would be sufficient in the completion of the transaction, you cannot be denied a product or service for the refusal to provide your social insurance number. Here’s how to protect your information: George Radwansky offers some ideas on how to protect your information. Always read the fine print on sales agreements. By signing you may also be giving the organization permission to add your name to a marketing list. Check the "no thanks" box, or write and initial a short note on the document saying you don't want your personal information shared with anyone else. Many retail stores ask for your name, address and telephone number when you make a purchase. If the store cannot give you a satisfactory reason for collecting the information, don't give it out. Information collected on product warranty cards is very often used for marketing purposes. You are not required to send in a filled warranty card – your receipt is all you need to make a warranty claim. Charities and other fund-raising organizations often share donor lists with one another. If you make a donation and do not want your personal information to be given to any other charities, enclose a note with your payment. If you don't want your personal information out there, avoid filling out ballots for "free draws" or other promotions. These are surefire ways to get your name, address and telephone number on a junk mail or telemarketing list. Many stores offer "rewards" or "points" programs. Often stores see your participation as consent to share your information without directly asking for your permission. If you want to avoid getting junk mail or other promotional material, don't join these programs, or ask the stores not to share your personal information. Look through a copy of any magazines to which you subscribe. Most mention they may give your name and address to other companies for one reason or another. They also offer you the opportunity to opt out of this “service.” Every time you make a call, dial *67 on your telephone (1167 on old rotary dial phones) to prevent your name and number from being displayed. You may be able to remove your name from many mailing and telephone lists by writing to the Canadian Marketing Association, 1 Concorde Gate, Suite 607, Don Mills, Ontario, M3C 3N6. For more information visit the Federal Privacy Commion web site www.privcom.gc.ca |
|||