In light of recent media reports surrounding a security breach at Equifax Canada, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner advises individuals who may believe they have been a victim of this breach to take the following action:
- Contact Equifax Canada (1-800-465-7166) and Transunion Canada (1-866-525-0262) to view your credit bureau file. Equifax Canada Inc. has notified the individuals affected by this incident.
- Contact your bank, credit union, or credit card company to determine whether any unusual transactions have occurred in your accounts.
- Review your credit card and bank statements and report any suspicious transactions.
The R.C.M.P. is investigating this issue and the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has opened an incident file and is inquiring into the unauthorized disclosure of personal information.
Identity theft is the fastest growing white collar crime in North America. Be vigilant with your personal information online and offline. Visit https://oipc.ab.ca/links/access.cfm for additional tips to protect your personal information.
The Commissioner’s mandate includes overseeing the access and privacy provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Health Information Act, and the Personal Information Protection Act.
If it is determined that Alberta has jurisdiction in this matter, individuals may file a complaint with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner by dialing 1-888-878-4044.