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thenerd12
Forums Member
Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Posts: 4
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#1 · Posted: 14 Sep 2009 05:38
I gave lots of personal data to an affiliate program, including my insurance number. Should I become to be worry about that?
I mean they have my name, account code, sort code, iban, swift code, and my insurance number...
(english it s not my first language)
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GaryCameron
Forums Member
Joined: 23 Aug 2009
Posts: 37
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#2 · Posted: 15 Sep 2009 03:21
An affiliate program should NEVER require a social insurance (or social security) number or banking information.
At least those are the rules for Canada.
What country are you in?
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thenerd12
Forums Member
Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Posts: 4
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#3 · Posted: 15 Sep 2009 10:03 · Edited by: thenerd12
Thanks for your interest Gary,
Please could you give some advice or tell me what I could risk?
I'm living in UK but the affiliate program is form USA.
It's a well know one for adult contents, I dunno if it's scam.
Anyway they activated my account just yesterday
They didn't ask for my insurance number, they asked for Tax US code. I wrote my IN naively cause I thought it was the same.
Am I idiot? Yes I am!
Anyway they asked even for the bank address
I don't have much money on the account, I could solve the problem opening a new one.
I'm more worried about the fact that they own so many details about me. Name, Address, Bank Account, Bank Address, and that damned Insurance Number.
I mean, could they take pension or tax money through my IN?
English s not my first language so sorry if there s something badly spelled or not clear
Cheers
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Newbie Shield
Joined: 22 Sep 2007
Posts: 2231
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#4 · Posted: 15 Sep 2009 10:54
Hi thenerd12,
You risk identity theft and everything that is associated with the same.
The risk is directly proportional to the trustworthiness of the affiliate program that you've given your personal information to.
If you've given your information to a reputable company such as Amazon, Commission Junction, or the like then don't worry about it.
Though it's still possible that your identity may be abused with a good company, it's far less likely. They spend a lot of money on data security and keeping your information secure is a top priority of theirs.
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and I'm not qualified to give proper legal advice nor am I giving legal advice at the moment. Consult with a qualified legal professional if you are truly concerned about this matter.
Which company is it and why are you so concerned?
~Newbie Shield~
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BST01
Forums Member
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Posts: 52
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#5 · Posted: 15 Sep 2009 11:58
That's is so wrong a thing to do. I would never for the life of me do that, that is if I'm being my usual self, such information is just too much for me to give away since I don't know the guy on the other side.
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GaryCameron
Forums Member
Joined: 23 Aug 2009
Posts: 37
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#6 · Posted: 16 Sep 2009 05:55
Newbie Shield: If you've given your information to a reputable company such as Amazon, Commission Junction, or the like then don't worry about it.
Amazon has never asked me for banking information or my social insurance number. Would a reputable company ever actually require this information?
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thenerd12
Forums Member
Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Posts: 4
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#7 · Posted: 16 Sep 2009 06:25
So now the best thing to do is closing my bank account.
With my personal details and insurance number, though without my bank details, can they still harm me in some way?
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Newbie Shield
Joined: 22 Sep 2007
Posts: 2231
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#8 · Posted: 16 Sep 2009 10:13
GaryCameron: Would a reputable company ever actually require this information?
Hi Gary,
Yes, if you live in the USA and earn over $600 for a given affiliate network such as Commission Junction, you'll be required to fill out a 1099 tax form for each USA-based affiliate network you belong to.
Since you live in Canada you'll have to consult with a Canadian tax attorney to see what is required for you to abide by Canadian tax laws in this regard.
thenerd12: So now the best thing to do is closing my bank account. With my personal details and insurance number, though without my bank details, can they still harm me in some way?
thenerd12: That's up to you to decide. If it makes you feel better then maybe you should close your bank account and open a different one.
Sure they can still harm you by ripping off your identity if they feel like it. You'll have to decide for yourself what you'll do about that.
I'm not an attorney and I can't give you legal advice. Go pay an attorney for a consultation if you are worried about it. In the future don't give out your personal information to shady affiliate programs. That's all I can tell you so please don't ask me anything more about it.
Best of luck,
~Newbie Shield~
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joanpeterson
Forums Member
Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Posts: 150
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#9 · Posted: 17 Sep 2009 00:58
I would highly recommend that you - thenerd12 ( and everyone else ), ensure that you check your credit files on a regular basis. This can help stop fraud at the early stages.
At this point, I would be concerned about the information you have provided dependent on which affiliate program you gave that info to.
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