Forum Discussion
Optik TV Added After Suspicious Call; Legit?
I'm very confused right now. Today, I received a call from 833-390-3721, claiming to be a representative from Telus. Because I had only switched to Telus a month ago, I thought they were calling to a...
BrandonT
TELUS Team Member
TELUS Team MemberHi BCPublicServant ,
I share the same concerns regarding sharing my SIN outside of the legally required areas, and use extreme caution myself.
But I will have to contradict myself as a TELUS Employee since its much easier for us to prevent fraud if we have more forms of ID on file. Fraudsters are getting very clever with using AI/phishing/social engineering to the point its very easy for them to obtain enough valid ID to open accounts with cellphone providers which can have a damaging affect to their credit, and time canceling/replacing cards, auditing their statements, and so on.
Just to make some clarifications:
- A SIN number is not mandatory to run a credit check through TELUS.
If a customer chooses to decline the other methods of identification, or does not have multiple pieces of valid ID available, a SIN is an alternative solution if the customer chooses, otherwise they can visit a TELUS Store and verify their identity in person without a SIN.
Reference to https://www.telus.com/en/support/article/checklist-for-activations-and-renewals for more information on valid forms of ID - In reference to the The Social Insurance Number (SIN) Code of Practice Section 2.1 Key duties of SIN holders (1) it states: "You can share your SIN outside of legally prescribed uses. However, in doing so, you may expose yourself to a heightened risk of fraud or identity theft. You should only do so if you are willing to assume that risk.", followed by: "subscribing to cellular telephone, internet or television services".
BrandonT,
Cell providers need to stop asking our clients for their SIN. As a PS we will send our Investigators over to your place of business to tell you to stop. Once this happens your company is placed on our internal Federal list of private business who are contributing to fraud by asking this.
Telus, Bell, Rogers, etc have all gotten in trouble for this poor practice more than once. Stop bullying our clients just so you can make a sale. Our clients have come back to us saying the sales person is denying them a cell phone if they don't provide it. This is what is causing our Investigators to visit your businesses.
SINs are never to be used as ID for any private sector businesses ever. Stop asking our clients to assume that risk. There are other forms of IDs that can be used without exposing the privacy of our clients SIN.
We do tell our clients to never provide thier SIN to any cell phone services no matter how pushy cellular sales people can be.
I will be forwarding this email with your information up to our Integrity Directors to deal with Telus bad practices.
Cell providers need to stop asking our clients for their SIN. As a PS we will send our Investigators over to your place of business to tell you to stop. Once this happens your company is placed on our internal Federal list of private business who are contributing to fraud by asking this.
Telus, Bell, Rogers, etc have all gotten in trouble for this poor practice more than once. Stop bullying our clients just so you can make a sale. Our clients have come back to us saying the sales person is denying them a cell phone if they don't provide it. This is what is causing our Investigators to visit your businesses.
SINs are never to be used as ID for any private sector businesses ever. Stop asking our clients to assume that risk. There are other forms of IDs that can be used without exposing the privacy of our clients SIN.
We do tell our clients to never provide thier SIN to any cell phone services no matter how pushy cellular sales people can be.
I will be forwarding this email with your information up to our Integrity Directors to deal with Telus bad practices.
And Passport Numbers.
