Users' questions 

Is it safe to give out social insurance number?

Leia Doyle

Is it safe to give out social insurance number?

Never give out your SIN unless you are sure it is legally required or you are satisfied it is necessary. Take steps to protect your SIN , your SIN card and other personal information from theft. Inform Service Canada and other appropriate authorities if you believe your SIN is being used illegally.

Can I give out my SIN number?

Do not give your Social Insurance Number (SIN) number out to just anyone! It is a confidential number. Only some government departments and programs are allowed to collect and use your SIN. However, there is no law that stops organizations from asking for it.

Is it safe to send sin number over email?

Never forward an e-mail containing SIN information to an e-mail distribution list. Don’t include a SIN in an e-mail unless a procedure specifies that you may do so. If so, never put the SIN in the subject line of the e-mail.

What happens if someone has your SIN number?

Someone might use your SIN to receive your government payments or tax refunds or to work illegally. If your SIN is used to work illegally, the Canada Revenue Agency could expect you to pay tax on income you did not receive.

What can someone do with social insurance number?

The most common uses of your SIN are for:

  • your employer.
  • your income tax information.
  • financial institutions from which you earn interest or income (for example, banks, credit unions, trust companies)
  • Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or Régime de rentes du Québec (RRQ) benefits.
  • Employment Insurance (EI) program benefits.

Is it illegal to work under someone else’s Social Security number?

Yes, that’s what it’s called when you use someone else’s Social Security number to work, to open bank accounts or for any other purpose. The IRS, though, is cracking down on the misuse of Social Security numbers and pushing harder to limit the impact of identity theft on victims.

Does Service Canada ask for SIN number over the phone?

Sometimes the phone numbers appear to be legitimate. However, Service Canada and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre have confirmed these calls are fraudulent and that fraudsters are masking their phone number with legitimate government phone numbers in an effort to gain access to personal or financial information.

How do I send a secure email attachment?

In message that you are composing, click File > Properties. Click Security Settings, and then select the Encrypt message contents and attachments check box. Compose your message, and then click Send.

Is it illegal to let someone work under your name?

No! Don’t do it. Both the person lending the identity and the person using it would be committing a crime. Check the ex-offenders.net website for a comprehensive list of companies that hire without requiring a criminal background…

Is your social insurance number on your T4?

Your SIN is the number that identifies you for income tax purposes under section 237 of the Income Tax Act and is used for certain federal programs. You must give it to anyone who prepares information slips (such as T3, T4, or T5 slips) for you. If your SIN is missing or is incorrect, inform the slip preparer.