Press Room
Privacy Commissioner’s Annual Report: companies must protect their customers, says Option consommateurs
Montreal, June 3rd, 2008 –
Following submission of the 2007 Annual Report on The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act by the Privacy Commissioner, Option consommateurs asks companies to put in place adequate measures to protect their customers against identity theft.
In her report, Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart frequently states that she has observed situations in which personal information has been compromised because companies did not implement elementary safety measures. This laxity is a cause of deep concern for Option consommateurs.
The organization maintains that companies, specifically those in the telecommunications, insurance, finance and retail sectors, must cease collecting personal information except when strictly necessary. They must also stop using Social Insurance Numbers for the purpose of identification and must inform their customers in the event of information leaks. “Within 48 hour after the fact, they would need to issue a warning explaining to consumers the steps they need to take to protect their identity,” says Michel Arnold, Executive Director of Option consommateurs. It is unacceptable that citizens should only become aware that they have been a victim of identity theft when a collection agency sends them a claim for a sum of money.”
In 2006, PhoneBusters, a national organization that fights against misleading telemarketing, has collected approximately 7780 complaints related to this crime. They have recorded losses in the order of $16.3 million. According to PhoneBusters, this is only the tip of the iceberg, as only 5 to 10% of victims report incidents of identity theft.
Option consommateurs is a not-for-profit association whose mission is to promote and defend the rights and interests of consumers and ensure that they are respected. It has instigated over thirty class action suits and is active in areas such as energy, agrifood, financial services, and commercial practices.
Michel Arnold
Executive Director
Option consommateurs
514 598-7288
In her report, Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart frequently states that she has observed situations in which personal information has been compromised because companies did not implement elementary safety measures. This laxity is a cause of deep concern for Option consommateurs.
The organization maintains that companies, specifically those in the telecommunications, insurance, finance and retail sectors, must cease collecting personal information except when strictly necessary. They must also stop using Social Insurance Numbers for the purpose of identification and must inform their customers in the event of information leaks. “Within 48 hour after the fact, they would need to issue a warning explaining to consumers the steps they need to take to protect their identity,” says Michel Arnold, Executive Director of Option consommateurs. It is unacceptable that citizens should only become aware that they have been a victim of identity theft when a collection agency sends them a claim for a sum of money.”
In 2006, PhoneBusters, a national organization that fights against misleading telemarketing, has collected approximately 7780 complaints related to this crime. They have recorded losses in the order of $16.3 million. According to PhoneBusters, this is only the tip of the iceberg, as only 5 to 10% of victims report incidents of identity theft.
Option consommateurs is a not-for-profit association whose mission is to promote and defend the rights and interests of consumers and ensure that they are respected. It has instigated over thirty class action suits and is active in areas such as energy, agrifood, financial services, and commercial practices.
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For more information :Michel Arnold
Executive Director
Option consommateurs
514 598-7288
