Do you know who can ask for your SIN? Or your child's SIN?

 

With back to school activities starting, I’m getting a number of emails from concerned parents telling me that their kid’s soccer club is asking for their social insurance number.  Others are telling me that it’s a standard “ask” on sign-up forms for other children’s activities.  And for adults?  Many organizations such as some provincial hydro, credit card companies and many more are asking for you SIN when they have no business doing so.

Your social insurance number is a unique 9 digit number that is a key piece of your identity, and in the wrong hands, can benefit identity thieves greatly.  It’s such a sensitive piece of data that Service Canada has stopped issuing SIN cards.

Who can ask for your kid's SIN?

A SIN is only required when income is potentially going to be earned and will need to be reported to CRA (Canada Revenue Agency). In the case of your child, when you open a RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan), the government needs your child’s SIN as an identifier for one day when the money will be withdrawn and CRA will receive its tax.  As well, when your teen applies for a part time job, it’s acceptable for the employer to require a SIN number on the application.

Basically, if income will be earned by you or your child, now or in the future, your SIN will be requested.  In all other cases, it should not be asked for and you have the right to refuse such requests.

Here are just some examples where you should not be asked for your SIN:

• A creditor such as a bank or on a loan or credit card application, 
• Your local utilities company, 
• Extracurricular activities for your children,
• Your home and auto insurance company.

In reality, Canadians are being asked for their SIN and that of their children’s in the above examples and many other.  It’s incumbent on you to say no and refer to the Service Canada guidelines here -   If you feel pressured to provide your SIN or that of your child’s, you have a right to inquire how the information will be stored, safe guarded and at some point, destroyed.

I’ll be speaking about this subject and how to create a S.A.F.E. Financial Life – learn how to protect you family from identity theft and fraud -at an upcoming, cross Canada speaking tour.  The events are free to the public but fill up fast.  Reserve your seat in your city by visiting: www.bermaneducation.com