Collections. How do they get your information?

[dazz]

Just curious how they can screw your history if they don't have any information about you. No SIN #(I thought this is the only way someone can get into your records). Nor do they have your banking information.
They only know your first and last name and place where you lived 3 years ago. We are talking about a $200 debt that I have no records about.
Does anyone know how it all works?

[mirek]

Just curious how they can screw your history if they don't have any information about you. No SIN #(I thought this is the only way someone can get into your records). Nor do they have your banking information.
They only know your first and last name and place where you lived 3 years ago. We are talking about a $200 debt that I have no records about.
Does anyone know how it all works?

It's all on your credit report, and they dont need your SIN to get it.

[tsatsa]

You will be surprise how much info if someone want to get on you with just your name.

[tkyoshi]

Yeah, and even if they don't have your SIN it's pretty easy to get it as well, but it's useless to collection agencies anyway so i doubt they care about it.

But if someone really wanted your info they can get it.

[ray420]

why do you think they dont have your sin number? I used to work at a collection agency and yes they do get your sin number, they get all the info the original lender has. And they can pull a credit report on you which also has all your information.

And what do you mean how can they screw your history? they cnt do anything to your records only pull it and view it. and even that they can only pull every few months.

[dealguy2]

Yeah I think once a debt goes to collection it's already on your report if applicable since the creditor does the reporting not the collections agency. Some creditors don't report though so you might luck out.

[gq_fuzion]

collection agencies however do leave a note on the public record

i have seen many collection agencies leaving their mark in the public record portion of the credit report

[dazz]

[QUOTE=ray420;9280182]why do you think they dont have your sin number? I used to work at a collection agency and yes they do get your sin number, they get all the info the original lender has. And they can pull a credit report on you which also has all your information.
QUOTE]


Well, they don't have it because I never game it to them or anyone related. Last time I gave it out was for a job and that happend to be about 9 years ago.
This collection agency only knows my previous address,name and phone #. That's it! With that info, I don't think they can get my SIN # just by knowing those facts. Also I thought you can only get a Credit report with a SIN #. Otherwise it could be a serious privacy issue.

[YYC27]

Also I thought you can only get a Credit report with a SIN #. Otherwise it could be a serious privacy issue.
Nope. You don't have to give your SIN to creditors for them to pull your report. It just makes it more likely they'll mix your info up with someone else's. Since they legally can't require you to provide your SIN to open an account, it wouldn't make sense to make a SIN a requirement to run a credit check.

[mrbrint]

Lack of a SIN doesnt mean they cant get a report, 200$ is small change though most agencies wont pull a report for anything under 500$ and most wont report a debt for less than 200$ (tho thats not always the case, transunion will report anything)

[adamtheman]

Just curious how they can screw your history if they don't have any information about you. No SIN #(I thought this is the only way someone can get into your records). Nor do they have your banking information.
They only know your first and last name and place where you lived 3 years ago. We are talking about a $200 debt that I have no records about.
Does anyone know how it all works?

Well, credit card companies won't usually give out a credit card until they can verify your credit report. So let's say you have a very common name like "John Smith" and you apply for a credit card. They will likely ask for your birth date when you sign up and your address. Using your birthdate and address, they should be able to pull up your credit report. However, if you've got a new address, and they just have your name/birth date to pull up, then there might be multiple "John Smith's" with your birthday. If this is the case, they will phone you before giving you a credit card and ask you to confirm several things on your credit report to find out which one is yours. For instance, they will ask you what other credit cards you have, or your past addresses.

Now... let's say you have never owned any type of credit before and your credit report is blank. In that case, they will require your SIN # most likely. Yes, you don't have to give it to them, but they can deny you a credit card if they can't properly verify your credit report. So chances are this company verified your credit report originally when you signed up, most companies do. If it's a cell phone or something that doesn't pull a credit report then they might not find you. Collection agencies aren't all powerful, they write off thousands of debts without ever managing to get in touch with a person. If you have a very common name it will help as well.

[boyoflondon]

Lack of a SIN doesnt mean they cant get a report, 200$ is small change though most agencies wont pull a report for anything under 500$ and most wont report a debt for less than 200$ (tho thats not always the case, transunion will report anything)

What privacy issue?

When you go to apply for credit anywhere you provide your basic information. SIN is always an option! If you do provide it, its much quicker for them to obtain your cred bureau report. If not, they can still obtain it based on the info you provided.

If its $200 and collections agency is chasing you, pay it and take it as lesson learned. Its already on your CBR that it went to collections.

[tkyoshi]

[QUOTE=ray420;9280182]why do you think they dont have your sin number? I used to work at a collection agency and yes they do get your sin number, they get all the info the original lender has. And they can pull a credit report on you which also has all your information.
QUOTE]


Well, they don't have it because I never game it to them or anyone related. Last time I gave it out was for a job and that happend to be about 9 years ago.
This collection agency only knows my previous address,name and phone #. That's it! With that info, I don't think they can get my SIN # just by knowing those facts. Also I thought you can only get a Credit report with a SIN #. Otherwise it could be a serious privacy issue.

Regardless again, as long as they have found you what does it matter whether they have the SIN. A SIN is not a magic card to them, it doesn't really allow them to do anything they can't already do to you.
If they really want your SIN there are other means to obtain it, you can't really hide anything these days. The only thing it helps is verify for sure that they have the correct person.

Your credit rating can be screwed with or without the SIN.