How It Is Built
Equifax Canada describes fraudsters combining a real name, another person’s address and the Social Insurance Number of a minor or a deceased person. Organized groups may then use the identity normally for 18 months to two years so the file resembles a legitimate profile.2
That is why a synthetic identity can pass a credit check: the file is real, but the person is not. It is different from stolen identity, where a real person’s details are used whole.
What It Means for Screening
Look for a credit file that is young but clean, paired with documents that each check out on their own. Confirm identity against the issuing source, and confirm income and employment from the payroll or bank record rather than a document (see payroll verification).
Don’t answer the risk by collecting more. The federal privacy regulator says applicants are under no obligation to give a SIN just because they are asked, and a basic credit check needs only name, address and date of birth.3
Related Terms
Sources
- Synthetic Identity Fraud Defined
Federal Reserve Banks, FedPayments Improvement, Definition. Accessed October 22, 2026.
- What is Synthetic Identity Fraud?
Equifax Canada, Post dated March 12, 2024. Accessed October 22, 2026.
- Privacy in the landlord and tenant relationship
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, What personal information do I have to provide?; How should landlords be obtaining my consent?; Does a landlord require my SIN?; Can a landlord ask to see my pay stubs?; Can a landlord call another landlord?. Accessed October 22, 2026.
