In recent times, a syndicate of criminals (operating across Canada) have been stealing people's identities and carrying out illegal activities with the information they unlawfully obtain from victims.
As mentioned in this article, never disclose your SIN (Social Insurance Number) to anybody but your employer.
Because your SIN is linked to your bank account, benefits, and employment records, amongst other things, anyone who has access to your SIN has access to other vital information about you.
Fraudulent Phone Calls
Some criminals pose as CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) officials or as
officers from the "Investigative Department of Canada". They will call you and sometimes say that your SIN is about to be suspended and/or that there is a warrant out for your arrest. The idea is to cause fear in the would-be-victim so that you quickly give them the information they ask for. They will then ask you for your full name, address, and your SIN in order to "confirm your identity". Do not give them any of this information.
If indeed they are government officials (who have your phone number), then they should also have your full name, address, and SIN. However, because they are not government officials, they do not have this information and you should not give it to them.
Protect yourself and your identity
Remember that:
Anyone calling you from the government already has the information they need about you.
If a government official wants to confirm your identity, they will ask for your date of birth (amongst other things) and not for your SIN.
Only government officials and your employer have a right to know your SIN.
The authentic number you can call to reach the CRA is 1-800-959-8281 (1-800-959-5525 for businesses)
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