An excerpt from Peep Show
by David McKendry
CA Magazine, Sept. 1996
Republished with permission

Illustration by John Collier

You can help to control the use and accuracy of your personal information by taking the following steps. But remember, these measures won't stop the chase for your data; they can only reduce some of the more irritating intrusions on your privacy.

• Check the accuracy, use and disclosure of personal information held by your bank. The Canadian Bankers Association's privacy code says banks will tell you "what personal information the bank has, what it is being used for, and to whom it has been disclosed." For more information, contact the CBA at: Box 348, Commerce Court West, 199 Bay St. 30th Floor, Toronto, ON M5L 1G2 Tel: 1-800-263-0231.
  
  
• Block the display of your telephone number and name when you make a phone call. Remember, however, that some people who have subscribed to a call-display service may not answer your call. Refer to your telephone directory or telephone company's business office for instructions.
  
  
• Exercise the "negative" option offered by many organizations for the removal of your name and address from their customer, member, subscriber and donor lists. A negative option means that the organizations will release your personal information unless you tell them not to.
  
  
• Contact the Medical Information Bureau (MIB) to check the accuracy of medical and other personal information held by the bureau. About 750 life insurance companies are members of the MIB. The bureau collects information on individuals who apply for life, health or disability insurance. Contact the MIB at: Suite 501, 330 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1R7 Tel: (416) 597-0590.
  
  
• Check your credit record and other information held by credit bureaus for accuracy. Your credit record is available from your local credit bureau or by contacting Equifax Canada Inc., Consumer Relations Dept., Box 190, Jean Talon Station, Montreal, QC H1S 2Z2 Tel: 1-800-465-7166. Equifax may have other personal information about you such as property or automobile insurance transactions. According to Equifax, "Whether for credit, insurance underwriting, or employment, information gathered or reported by Equifax Canada is available to the individual consumer."
  
  
• Take advantage of the Canadian Direct Marketing Association's Do Not Mail/Do Not Call Service. Your name will be removed from marketing lists held by CDMA's members (who represent 80% of direct response sales in Canada). Requests to register for the service must be made in writing to CDMA at: Suite 607, 1 Concorde Gate, Don Mills, ON M3C 3N6.
  
  
• Anyone can request your social insurance number but you are required to provide the number for only a few specific purposes - for example, to financial institutions when they sell you interest-generating financial products. For more information about how SINs may and may not be used, see Privacy Facts: Social Insurance Numbers (in right-hand sidebar) or contact the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 3rd Floor, 112 Kent Street, Ottawa, ON K1A 1H3. Tel: 1-800-267-0441.
  
  
• Tell telemarketers not to call you again. Your request must be implemented within 30 days, and the request remains active for three years. This regulation applies to unsolicited live call and fax messages that engage in solicitation. For more information, contact the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) at Ottawa, ON K1A 0S9 Tel: (819) 997-0313.
  
  
• If you live in Quebec, contact the Commission d'accès à l'information if you believe that your privacy rights have been violated with respect to the province's privacy legislation. Contact the Commission at 575, rue Saint-Amable, Bureau 1.10, Quebec, QC G1R 2G4 Tel: (418) 528-7741.
  
  
• Provide personal information only if it is directly relevant to the transaction. If you are asked for more information, obtain a satisfactory explanation. Warranty registration cards are notorious for requesting socioeconomic and demographic information that is not necessary to register a warranty.
  
  
• Be aware. Personal information can be collected when you are least expecting it - for example, when you are surfing the Internet, calling an organization's consumer help line, and entering draws for prizes.
  
  
• Conduct business with firms that have good privacy practices. Reward businesses and not-for-profit organizations that take good care of your personal information. Make privacy pay.

David McKendry, CA, is the director of the privacy consulting practice for Price Waterhouse in Ottawa and the chair of the committee that developed the Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information for the Canadian Standards Association.