• Hey folks,

    That's pretty important news that The Privacy Commissioner's Office is conducting an audit on Equifax Canada.

    I would like to think that we in some small way had something to do with that process. I've been bitching to the Privacy Commission about Equifax and TransUnion since 2003-2004.

    I'm pleased that Equifax, who has been very arrogant, is finally having to bow to a federal power. I am VERY pleased with that.

    That's the best news I've heard in a long long time.

    Previously I've complained about Equifax to Saskatchewan Justice. Equifax was able to smooth them over with Sask Justice, which made Saskatchewan Justice do nothing about what we were complaining about.

    Having the Privacy Commission do this audit means that they're going to have to open up their books to the federal government which will give the consumer better control over things.

    I'm quite sure that the Privacy Commission is going to find a great many holes in Equifax's system with regards to people's privacy and how their information is being reported..

    This is a important piece of news Regarding Equifax Canada and the Privacy Commissioners office. that I found here:
    Equifax location:canada - site: news.google.com


    thestar.com

    Mar 16, 2007 06:32 PM
    Canadian Press

    OTTAWA ? The federal Privacy Commissioner has settled litigation with the Equifax credit reporting agency over the commission's ongoing audit of the company's protection of personal information.

    Equifax has dropped a Federal Court action complaining that the commissioner's office lacked reasonable grounds to conduct the audit of its online identification and authentication system.

    "I am pleased that Equifax agreed to discontinue their court challenge because it is important for us to make use of all the tools at our disposal, including exercising our powers to audit personal information management practices in the private sector," commissioner Jennifer Stoddart stated today.

    "I am pleased that Equifax agreed to discontinue their court challenge because it is important for us to make use of all the tools at our disposal, including exercising our powers to audit personal information management practices in the private sector," commissioner Jennifer Stoddart stated today.

    "Ultimately, what we determine in our work can only be of benefit to the organizations involved and their customers."

    The commission said its audit continued during the court action and a report will be provided to the 600-employee Canadian division of Atlanta-headquartered Equifax Inc.

    The Privacy Commissioner, mandated by Parliament to be an advocate and guardian of Canadians' privacy and personal information, had launched its audit of Equifax in August 2006 under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.

    The commissioner has since published guidelines for businesses on identification and authentication.

    The Equifax website gives businesses access to individual credit reports, including "in-depth information about your customers and prospects," as well as allowing consumers to view their personal credit scores for a fee.
    For further information: Contact: Anne-Marie Hayden, Office of the
    Privacy Commissioner of Canada, (613) 995-0103, ahayden@privcom.gc.ca



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2 Comments
On Apr 14, 2007, Monty Loree Said:
Hey Money Coach,
Yes indeed...

Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada have able to operate under a cloak of secrecy for far too long in Canada.

I'm very pleased that Equifax Canada is under investigation by the Privacy Commissioner
On Apr 13, 2007, Money Coach Said:
wow! I think a lot of Canadians will be jumping up and down with joy on this one. So many canadians have been prejudiced by erroneous information held by them, resulting at best in frustration, and sometimes, significant negative economic implications. Three cheers for anything/anyone who insists on a higher level of accountability and care!

Thanks for the post - I'll point other to it.