(((NAME(S) REDACTED DUE TO PERCEIVED HARASSMENT / CYBERSTALKING / CYBERBULLYING / REVENGE POST))) | RIPOFF REPORT POST-PUBLICATION CONTENT REVIEW: EDITORIAL REDACTIONS | Identity theft due to unauthorized access to a database used to collect their online application information on website Vancouve Ontario

EDITOR’S COMMENT(11/21/2018):  Ripoff Report strongly believes in the First Amendment, especially when consumers are truthfully warning other consumers about potential frauds, scams, rip-offs or the like by shady individuals or businesses.  Ripoff Report is by consumers, for consumers…and we want to keep it that way!  Unfortunately this Report was posted and, upon additional information, appears to have been primarily for the purpose of bullying or harassment.  In many instances Ripoff Report will reach out to the author of the Report to obtain further information.  In other instances, enough information is provided to Ripoff Report to warrant redactions without reaching out to the author.  Ripoff Report is working to combat tactics that are perceived to be cyberharassment, cyberstalking, cyberbullying and/or what is generally considered a “revenge post” as we do not condone such behavior. 

The Report was brought to our attention and, upon review of compiled information (which will be done on a case by case basis without any obligation as resources allow), and at Ripoff Report’s sole discretion, information that did not conform to current policies and/or the identifying information relating to the individual(s) and/or business(es) named in this “Report” and any subsequent comments thereto have been editorially redacted as indicated by the following “(((REDACTED)))” or (((REDACTED DUE TO PERCEIVED HARASSMENT / REVENGE POST)))”.

CONSUMERS:  Be kind.  Keep it honest.  Keep it fair.  Stick to the facts.  Do your research.  Keep the dirty laundry in the laundry hamper…not on Ripoff Report.

PLEASED TO SEE SUCH EFFORTS?  YOU CAN HELP RIPOFF REPORT COMBAT THESE TYPES OF ISSUES:  Ripoff Report, as resources allow, is working towards combatting Cyberharassment, Cyberstalking, Cyberbullying and/or other problems such as what is generically called “revenge posts” that can be riddled with personal commentary and/or allegations that can be serious.   Ripoff Report would love to be able to timely address each and every review request we receive, however, this takes resources.  If you think this is a worth-while endeavor, we encourage you to make a donation so that we can expand the resources that we can devote to this project.  You can make a non-tax deductible donation by clicking HERE NOW or learn a little more by visiting our “Donate to our Efforts” page.  The more resources we have, the more resources we can devote to this project and other forward thinking and positive initiatives like it.

Thank you!

~ Ripoff Report Team

NOW TO THE EDITORIALLY REDACTED POSTING(S):

On October 25, 2013, (((REDACTED))) notified about 12,000 to 13,000 individuals of a risk of identity theft due to unauthorized access to a database used to collect their online application information on (((REDACTED))) website (((REDACTED))) has arranged for a flag to be placed on your credit file which will alert companies accessing your credit information that your data may have been compromised and that lenders should take additional steps to verify your identity before transacting further.

The notation will stay on your credit file for a period of 6 years unless you choose to have it removed. In March tried to open online a checking account with TD. Application rejected - no reason given. After hours on the phone I was told that the credit check was unsuccessful and asked to go in a branch with proof of employment, utility bills and two pieces of id. I got the account after I provided all the documents. - in June I tried to get online a credit card with Scotia Bank. Identical experience.

Got the credit card. - in October, two weeks ago, I tried to open a brokerage account online. It is an online only brokerage - no brick-and-mortar locations. Application rejected - no reason given. After endless calls I was told today that my identity check failed as they pull an Equifax credit report in order to do that and they couldn't do it.  The only way they would accept to open my account would be to have my identity validated by a Commissioner of oaths, Lawyer or Public Notary. Called a lawyer - $400 for me and my wife.

Third party hackers exploited known vulnerabilities in a web editor used to design and manage an older version of the (((REDACTED))) web portal. The (((REDACTED))) web portal had been recently redesigned by a third party contractor. The contractor used a new web editor and did not remove the old web editor that had been left there by the previous design team.

The old web editor had not been used in years and the organization was unaware that it was there, so the threat was neither evaluated nor managed. Duplicate, unencrypted versions of sensitive personal information were permanently stored on the web server going back as far as 2007. (((REDACTED))) had not carried out any vulnerability scans since the original design of the web site in 2005. (((REDACTED))) did not have adequate security policies at the time of the breach. The federal Privacy Commission found that the combined impact of the problems noted above meant that (((REDACTED))) had violated PIPEDA principles requiring them to implement adequate organizational policies and training to ensure protection of personal information; had failed to establish and implement appropriate guidelines establishing appropriate retention periods; failed to delete personal information when no longer required and failed to implement adequate security.