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CSA TRAVEL INFORMATION GUIDE
it could very likely result in you being flagged as attempting to steal someone else’s identity or even
presume you are attempting to commit a fraud when the search results come back with the name
and information for the American citizen who happens to have the same identical nine-digit SSN
number. You could – as has already happened to a Canadian snowbird traveller – become “a person
of interest” to U.S. law enforcement officials over the matter.
In the course of conducting routine consumer business in the United States, you may encounter
service suppliers (such as an electrical or water utility company) demanding that you provide your
“social security number” as a condition of opening an account as a way of verifying your identity.
Unlike in Canada, it is important to note that U.S. federal law does in fact permit such suppliers to
request a social security number from its customers under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act,
2003 (FACTA). The preamble to the act states in part, “To amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act, to pre-
vent identity theft, improve resolution of consumer disputes, improve the accuracy of consumer records,
make improvements in the use of, and consumer access to, credit information, and for other purposes.”
It is important to note that nothing in FACTA empowers any service supplier to demand your
Canadian SIN in lieu of an American SSN. Some customer service representatives may claim that they
have the authority, but they do not.
Where some form of government-issued unique identification is required, it is recommended that
you offer a photocopy of either: your Canadian driver’s licence (which will have a unique number),
your passport, certificate of citizenship or other provincial identification card that has a unique
client number in place of a social security number. You may have to provide a photocopy of the
alternative identification since the service provider will not be able to run a computer check to verify
its authenticity
Please note that a Canadian resident entering the United States for casual business travel or tourism
(such as a snowbird), cannot apply for an American Social Security Number (SSN) as a way of
addressing the requirement of FACTA.
Taking Currency and Credit Cards Abroad
When leaving Canada it is important to plan ahead in terms of ensuring you have sufficient funds
available to support you while away.
Taking “Hard” Currency (Banknotes)
The age-old advice about being cautious when carrying large sums of “hard” currency (banknotes)
with you still applies today. That being said, you will certainly still need even a small amount of cash
while travelling enroute to your destination for casual tipping of taxi drivers, luggage handlers, road
tolls (if driving), and even purchasing a beverage or snack along the way.
It is important to remember that Canadian currency is legal tender only in Canada. While most
merchants, especially along border communities close to Canada, will accept Canadian money (not
necessarily at par) to avoid losing a potential sale from you, they are under no legal requirement to
do so.
Exchanging Canadian currency for local currency, the farther away from Canada you are can prove
more difficult and inconvenient. Local financial institutions may not receive many requests, from
other customers looking for Canadian money for their trips to Canada, and will therefore be “stuck”
holding onto the Canadian banknotes until someone else requests them. That inconvenience may
well be reflected in the exchange rate they do offer you.