Office of the Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner. Guide to LA FOIP, Chapter 6, Protection of Privacy. Updated 27 February 2023. 14 In addition to names, addresses and telephone numbers, identity thieves look for social insurance numbers, driver’s licence numbers, credit card and banking information, bankcards, calling cards, birth certificates and passports.19 This personal information enable’s an identity thief to commit various forms of fraud using the victim’s identity, such as: • Access bank accounts • Apply for loans, credit cards and other goods and services • Obtain new identity documents, such as passports • Receive local authority benefits • Hide criminal activities20 Once they steal the information they need, identity thieves can manipulate it and invade their victim’s personal and financial lives. Victims of identity theft may incur damaged credit cards, unauthorized charges on credit cards and unauthorized withdrawals from bank accounts. In many cases, victims must change their address, telephone number and even their social insurance numbers.21 It can take months or years to correct, and the consequences can be serious: • Poor credit ratings • Ruined reputations • Lost jobs and other opportunities • Services denied • Loss of freedom to travel22 From the perspective of identity theft, one of the most important kinds of personal information is that which is contained in “cradle to grave” type information. Birth and death certificates are frequently used as foundation documents to establish identity. According to 19 Originated from former Saskatchewan Justice Minister, Frank Quennell’s news release, “Saskatchewan Supports Identity Theft Initiatives”, March 12, 2004. Cited in SK OIPC Investigation Report H-2007-001 at [41]. 20 ON IPC resource, Ensuring your privacy is protected. Available at https://www.ipc.on.ca/privacyindividuals/ensuring-your-privacy-is-protected/. Accessed on October 18, 2022. 21 Originated from former Saskatchewan Justice Minister, Frank Quennell’s news release, “Saskatchewan Supports Identity Theft Initiatives”, March 12, 2004. Cited in SK OIPC Investigation Report H-2007-001 at [41]. 22 ON IPC resource, Ensuring your privacy is protected. Available at https://www.ipc.on.ca/privacyindividuals/ensuring-your-privacy-is-protected/. Accessed on October 18, 2022.
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