SIN fraud and data breaches

We are committed to protecting the integrity of the Social Insurance Number (SIN) Program from fraud and misuse. We take any breach of information very seriously.

If you suspect that someone is using your SIN fraudulently or you have been informed that your SIN was included in a data breach, it is important to act fast to limit potential damage and prevent further misuse.

How to recognize SIN fraud

Scammers use tactics like phishing, spoofing, and fake ads to steal your information.

Never share your SIN unless it's legally required. Learn how to protect your SIN.

Here are signs of unauthorized use:

receiving a Notice of Reassessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for undeclared earnings. This may mean that someone else used your SIN to earn income
noticing unfamiliar inquiries on your credit report
noticing unfamiliar records of employments on your My Service Canada Account

You do not need to inform the SIN Program when:

you suspect someone is using your SIN fraudulently
you find out that your SIN was part of a data breach

Monitoring

If you think you are a victim of fraud or if your SIN was exposed in a data breach, you must closely monitor your personal and financial information for any unauthorized use.

Here are key areas to monitor:

Credit reports

Contact Canada's 2 major credit bureaus (TransUnion Canada and Equifax Canada) and request a copy of your credit report (there may be a fee). Review your reports to identify:

accounts that you did not open
credit inquiries you did not initiate

Consider adding a fraud alert to your file (there may be a fee). This will instruct creditors to contact you before opening new accounts in your name.

Financial statements

Examine your banking and credit card statements to identify any unusual or unauthorized activity.

Mail

Look out for suspicious incidents such as:

opened envelopes
missing financial statements you were expecting

Reporting

If you determined that fraud has occurred, take the following steps to report the fraud:

File a police report

Get a case reference number and the officer's name and telephone number.
The report must include your name and SIN (your full SIN or last 3 digits of your SIN).
Ask for a copy of the report.

Notify the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

Report the fraud via their website or call 1-888-495-8501.
They can provide further guidance on identity theft.

Contact credit bureaus

Contact Canada's 2 major credit bureaux (TransUnion Canada and Equifax Canada).
If you have not already done so, add a fraud alert to your file (there may be a fee). This will instruct creditors to contact you before opening new accounts in your name.

Contact creditors

If your credit report reveals unauthorized or suspicious activity, contact each creditor to report the identity theft. Request that they close any accounts you did not open and decline any new accounts you did not request.

Contact your financial institutions

If your credit reports revealed unauthorized or suspicious activity, inform your financial institutions.

Contact Canada Post

If you noticed suspicious activity with your mail delivery, report the problem to Canada Post.

Contact the affected government program

If your SIN has been used fraudulently to obtain money from the government, you must report the fraud directly to the affected program (for example, the Employment Insurance Program) to stop fraudulent payments.

Reporting SIN fraud to the SIN program

You do not have to report SIN fraud to the SIN Program.

While the SIN Program may issue a new SIN if you have proof that your SIN was used fraudulently, this is not recommended. Having multiple SINs can increase fraud risk. Getting a new SIN does not erase your old SIN and does not protect it from future misuse. For more information about the responsibilities associated with getting a new SIN, see the If you have been issued a new SIN section.

The monitoring measures described above provide better protection against further misuse or identity theft than getting a second SIN.

If you still wish to request a new SIN, you must do so by visiting a Service Canada Centre and bringing the required documents.

The SIN Program cannot issue a new SIN without proof that your SIN was used to commit fraud.

If you do not provide the required documents, your application for a new SIN will be rejected.

Requesting a new SIN does not guarantee that a new SIN will be issued.

Type of fraud and required documents

Select the type of suspected fraud below to obtain the list of required documents to report fraud or request a new SIN.

Your SIN was used to obtain credit

All required identity documents including:
- a valid primary identity document
- a valid secondary document
- a valid supporting document (if applicable)
a police report. You may provide:
- a police case reference number
- the report you filed with the police, or
- a letter from the police confirming SIN fraud if an investigation was made
a letter from a creditor confirming the fraudulent use of your SIN. The letter must:
- include your name and your SIN (or last 3 digits of your SIN)
- state that you are not responsible for any fraudulent purchases made using your information
If the creditor's letter does not include your SIN:
- provide a copy of the credit application filled by the impostor. The application must show your name and SIN (or last 3 digits of your SIN)
- the information on the creditor's letter must be linked to the credit application

Your SIN was used for employment fraud

All required identity documents including:
- a valid primary identity document
- a valid secondary document
- a valid supporting document (if applicable)
a police report. You may provide:
- a police case reference number
- the report you filed with the police, or
- a letter from the police confirming SIN fraud if an investigation was made
a printout of all employers who issued T4 slips for your SIN over the past 3 years (available from CRA at 1-800-959-8281). Review this list and identify employers for whom you have not worked. Service Canada will contact them on your behalf
a clear photograph of yourself. Service Canada will share this picture with the identified employers to verify whether you have worked for them
a list of your addresses for the past 10 years

Ensuring continued protection

After you've reported the fraud, you must remain vigilant to protect yourself from further theft.

Regularly check your credit reports, financial statements, and personal information for any unauthorized use of your SIN.

If you have been issued a new SIN

If you have been issued a new SIN, there are important responsibilities you must manage for both your new and old SIN. Service Canada can only share your new SIN with federal departments and agencies that need it. Service Canada cannot correct credit files or protect your new SIN from misuse.

Your responsibilities with your new SIN

You must notify relevant parties (for example, banks, creditors, employers, pension providers) of your new SIN so they can update their records
If you don't update your SIN correctly, you may not receive benefits and could be at risk of fraud or identity theft

Your responsibilities with your old SIN

You remain responsible for your old SIN
If someone uses your old SIN fraudulently and a business doesn't check your credit, you could be liable for the impostor's debts
If fraud occurs, you must prove you were not involved in the misuse of your old SIN

Useful resources

To learn more about protecting yourself from fraud and identity theft, visit the following resources:

SIN Code of Practice
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Office of Consumer Affairs
Fraud awareness and reporting
Canada's 2 Major Credit Bureaus:
- Equifax Canada: 1-800-465-7166
- TransUnion Canada: 1-800-663-9980

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2026-05-13

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