1 False. Some companies have policies that limit the number of people who can look at your files. In general, it has to be a person who has a specific and important reason.
2 False. The Canadian Privacy Act (1993) allows you to correct a mistake on your credit file by writing to the credit reporting agency to explain the mistake and by providing proof that an error was made.
3 False. In most provinces you are protected from receiving phone calls from creditors at unreasonable times or places, such as before 7 a.m. and after 9 p.m. and on Sundays and Statuatory holidays. For details, check with whichever ministry deals with consumer affairs in your own province.
4 True. A computer file on you can be made by every company you do business with, or any company that wants to do business with you.
5 True. Reliable companies use either the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Model Code for the Protection of Personal Privacy or the Canadian Direct Marketing Association (CDMA) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
6 True. Never give anyone information unless you know why they want it and what they plan to do with it.
7 True and False. There are several federal and provincial laws that help protect your privacy, but they protect different aspects of privacy, not every one. For details, check with whichever ministry deals with consumer affairs in your own province.
8 True. Companies can share your files with other businesses that may want to contact you. In Canada, there is a high level of protection for personal information held by the government but there is practically no security for information help by the private industry (except in Quebec.)
9 True. Anyone who has a need to know about your credit history can check your credit file. That's why it's so important to be sure it is accurate and up to date.
10 True. If you have been turned down for credit, you can get a free copy of your credit report by writing Equifax Canada (The Credit Bureau of Canada). If you send them a request with proper identification, you should receive a copy of your credit report within ten days.