Criminal Records checks/identity theft/credit card fraud

[my5cents]

Another thing, ... How did we deviate from criminal history checks (the original post) to all of a sudden discussing credit reporting agencies? I see no connection here.

You're correct, my bad.

Basically the point was that here's another private industry that is doing something, IMO, should be done by government.

I don't think sensitive information should be sold to a private company for them to re-sell to the public. Be that a criminal record or a persons personal credit history. Yes, I know government has never collected credit history.

The security of the credit information companies was an obvious example of what takes place when private industry secures information. The old saying garbage in garbage out.

[dodgerdodge]

I was called by CIBC (checked out it was legitimate) and someone had attempted to open credit card in my name. Seems they had address and other information including my SIN number. I reported to Equifax and Transunion as they told me to and told my bank just in case. I have no account or connection ever with CIBC. Next i get a letter through the post from Government stating i had been refused for a benefit claim made in my name as they couldn't verify it. I also then filled out the online fraud centre forms as their letter suggests.
Now the interesting thing is i have not used my SIN number for anything except when i was on government sites, one for claiming the benefit we all got back in the spring and also the pensions website where i had to sign up and check my status in order to decide whether to claim it early or not.
Been trying to contact service Canada forever but its always busy and don't seem to have callback.

[Sonny Taylor]

I had to talk to Service Canada 2 years ago and the hold waiting times were usually a few hours. I'm sure it's even worse now with Covid and all.

The only good thing I can say is that when I finally talked to them they were indeed helpful.

[stuphoto]

I tried calling them a couple months ago, and the message said it was over a 5 hour wait.
I didn't bother staying on line to find out how accurate that was.

I figure that if the government really wants to reach me, they will just send the RCMP over to give me a free ride in to sort things out

[Catsumi]

Since the conversation has taken an interesting twist, off topic, I will update the banner to merge the identity theft thread

[mexi cali]

With consent, I can run a CRC on anyone. Nothing new here.

ETA: and a credit check.

Big man on campus!

Seriously?

[mexi cali]

I have had credit cards compromised several times and fortunately all were resolved in a timely fashion with no stress on my end.

It is easier to envision the types of problems experienced by some posters here than mine.