How can I protect my SIN?

Settlement ISC Community

Social Insurance Number (SIN) is confidential. With Service Canada, you share the responsibility of protecting your SIN from inappropriate use, fraud, and theft.

To protect your SIN, Service Canada recommends:

  • Provide your SIN only when you know that it is legally required.
  • Store any document containing your SIN and personal information in a safe place—do not keep it with you.
  • Contact Service Canada if you change your name, if your citizenship status changes, or if information on your SIN record is incorrect or incomplete.
  • Take immediate measures to protect your SIN when you suspect someone else is using your SIN fraudulently.
  • Never use your SIN card as a piece of identification.
  • Never provide your SIN over the phone unless you make the call and you know with whom you are dealing.
  • Never reply to e-mails that ask for personal information like your SIN.
  • Shred paper records with personal information and your SIN once you no longer need them.

Source: Your Social Insurance Number: A Shared Responsibility! Protect it! Safeguard it! – Service Canada

For more information about protecting or providing your SIN, please visit Service Canada’s web page (http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sin/info/yoursin.shtml).