Check out the scotia bank if i remember its called the start right account it designed for new arrivals and used to give you free banking for the first year plus a free 'unsecured' credit card with a $1000 dollar limit ( joint accounts $1000 each) it should help you build credit. Also if you have UK Amex call Amex Canada tell them you want to do an international switch and they will use your UK Amex history to open an Amex in Canada.
Hope this helps.

Just in case you didn't know, Fido is owned by Rogers. Guess who own Koodoo and Virgin?

Don't ever give your SIN out to anyone apart from your employer and I think your bank needs it if you want a mortgage. You wouldn't give your National Insurance number out willy nilly, don't with your SIN. I was able to get a credit card really easily after I think 6 months (visitors permit for 1st six months) I had got a HBC rewards card as a visitor which started off my credit rating. My credit rating is fab OH's isn't as all the bills are in my name with him as a secondary contact, the credit card is in my name with him as a secondary card holder. OH needs to get himself a credit card too but never seems to get around to it. He earns at least 4x what I do so it's a bit silly, because I couldn't afford to pay all our bills on my earnings but my credit rating is way above his

I agree Piff Poff, none of these companies, phone providers or credit check bureaus should have your SIN. I was chatting with my bank about it too, she said that if you have an interest bearing account, they technically need it because you're earning an income.

But they don't have a SIN ....

We were in Scotia Bank yesterday.

We got our TWP's on Saturday, so decided to get the ball rolling.

We now have a joint checking account, with two debit cards. Free banking for the first year, and also a reward scheme for the movies. (Scene)

After the first year we can move on to the 2% cash back scheme, which will more than cover the costs of the banking charges.

We also applied for their credit card, which is pre-approved for us fresh imports. $1000 dollar limit instantly. SIN was required for this, which we got in ten minutes when we visited service Canada local office.

And, we also got a pre-approved Mortgage. All done in one day!!

No credit check required or even asked for.

So far we are HUGE fans of Scotia Bank!!!

Hey,

Just thought I'd add my thoughts.

So we decided to start with TD, who I can also say have been great, especially the lady we've worked with since we got here.

We came over on a house hunting trip in September (for a week) and to sort out our TWP's then. We also went the intra-company transfer route (think that's what I noticed you did, Dave n Ailsa).

TD sorted us out with a joint chequing account on the spot, with debit cards to go with. We're renting just now (choosing to do that until we get PR down the line), so no need for a mortgage.

The lady at TD also went over and above to help us get the funds ready for the rental deposit, even whilst we were doing some from back in the UK.

After our week trip, we then moved properly at the start of October and have somehow been here over 2 months now! It's flown in and we're loving it!

Also sorted me out with a credit card (with a secondary card for my wife). She just asked to see 2 paystubs. Could have got a $1000 unsecured one, but I opted to go for one of their fancier cards with a higher limit, so needed to secure it for a year or so since I wanted the larger limit.

We got all the various utilities, phones, etc. no problem since we arrived.

Just to confirm, none of this required us to give our SIN to any of them. TD did comment if and when I want a mortgage, they need the SIN for that.

Good to see another weegie couple arriving Dave n Ailsa! As I say, we just arrived at the start of October from Glasgow. Can't believe it's happened! It was all so quick from applying for the job internally with my company, to them moving us. We plan to start the PR process around January.

Graham.

Hi

Thanks for the information we signed for a 2 or 3 year plan (I forget which) but it is only $12 to get out of it.. Do you really think they will change us to the 2 gb after accepting the 1gb?

She's giving 'em a grilling on the phone now

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

I would not have known if you had not let me know

They were fantastic and just did it.. As above I did not have to give them a grilling

That would not have happened if in a contract in the UK

Hi and thanks all,

Just to clarify it was Best Buy Mobile and they didn't want to see Steve's SIN he just had to type it in for the credit check. We obviously would never give that to anyone.

I don't have a SIN as immigration gave me a visitor permit instead of a spousal work permit something that Steve's company are trying to sort out.

We wanted to go with Virgin or Koodoo as they have the better coverage outside the cities and Steve occasionally works in the middle of nowhere so Fido would be a bit hit and miss for him. Koodoo were the ones who refused based on credit check.

We have been toying with the idea of changing from HSBC for Scotia Bank for a while and the positive comments on that are really helpful - thank you.

So anyway went to the shop last night and the manager contacted Virgin and they gave Steve two contracts with no credit check but they have capped the monthly spending at $200 (as if you would ever spend that in a month on a phone unless you're 16). Also as an added bonus we got a Best Buy $75 gift card each!!!

So we have now re joined the real world with mobiles......yay!!! Just need to get some friends now

I started on 1gb and I called them & they changed to 2gb and part way through a bill cycle so I ended up with 3 gb that month.

Nice 1

Don't forget you want 2gb plus the $56 price per month

Glad the info has been of help.

As well as the $56 fido unlimited plan if you call UK landlines directly a lot maybe you call someone that doesn't have access to Skype via a computer
I have the $6.99per month Skype addon I then just attach a Skype to go number (local canadian number ) to each of my UK landline numbers I call regular, so I can call any UK landline number directly from my cell phone as a number call.
So for $63 pm
You get
Unlimited UK Landline calls
2GB LTE data
Unlimited Canada wide calling
Incoming and outgoing texts
Picture and video message
Call Display with Name Display and WhoCalledTM1
Canada-Wide Calling2
Visual Voicemail Plus3
2,500 Call Forwarding minutes

All direct from your cell phone .

Hope this may help others

You should still not give out your SIN. http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/s.../provide.shtml Take note of When don't I have to give my SIN #11

I did query it with them last night and said that i'd been told you don't have to use your SIN for a credit check and he said it was wrong information and without typing it into the key pad you cannot get a credit check done.

Wondering if it's just Equifax's system, they don't see the number it's put into a sort of chip and pin machine.

You've got me worried now