Frequently Asked Question:

 

1.                  Can you tell me about this law suit that your firm has started concerning the missing hard drive? 

Merchant Law Group has launched a lawsuit against the Government of Saskatchewan, Information Systems Management Canada Corporation (ISM), Investors Group Financial Services Incorporated and Cooperators Life Insurance Company.  At this time we still do not know how many other organizations had people’s personal information on the hard drive. 

 

2.                  What is a class action lawsuit, and how is this different from an ordinary lawsuit? 

A class action lawsuit is a lawsuit that is launched on behalf of a group, or class of people who have been wronged by other persons, corporations or other entities.  Class action lawsuits are practical where there is a very large number of either Plaintiffs or Defendants and where the fact situation from Plaintiff to Plaintiff or from Defendant to Defendant is substantially the same.  In the present case, Merchant Law Group LLP estimates that over 1 million Canadians have been affected by the loss of their personal information that was contained on the hard drive, and that the only practical way to proceed on this matter is through a class action lawsuit. 

 

3.                  What are you suing for? 

In the Statement of Claim, Merchant Law Group LLP has alleged the following causes of action:

 a)                  Breach of the fiduciary duty owed by the Defendant companies and organizations to the Plaintiffs;

 b)                  Negligence;

 c)                  Breach of confidence;

 d)                  Breach of contract and confidentiality;

 e)                  Violation of privacy; and

 f)                    Statutory liability.

 

4.                  What Corporations or other organizations had people’s personal information on the hard drive?

The following companies are known to have had their customers' personal information stored on the hard drive...

            The Government of Saskatchewan

The Government of Manitoba

Cooperators Insurance

Investors Group

Sask Power 

However, according to media reports there may be other companies or organizations that had people’s personal information stored on the hard drive.

 

 5.                  How do I know if my information is among that that was stored on the hard drive?

You may have already received a letter from the organization that may have had your information on the hard drive.  If you have not received a letter stating whether or not you had information that was on the hard drive, Merchant Law Group recommends that you contact the company or organization in question and verify with them whether your information is among that that went missing.

 

6.                  I am concerned that this information may be used for criminal purposes.   How do I protect myself? 

The person who took the ISM hard drive has been apprehended by the Regina Police Service and the Regina Police Service believes that the hard drive was not used for any improper purpose.  However, if you are still concerned about the improper use of your personal information that was stored on the ISM hard drive, Merchant Law Group advises that in order to protect your economic and financial interests you should contact your bank and credit reporting agencies such as Equifax and TransCanada Credit to discuss strategies to protect you and your family from becoming victims of crime.