A Regina law firm has launched a class action lawsuit on behalf of 32,000 farmers whose personal information was contained on a computer stolen from the Canadian Canola Growers Association.
Lawyer Pat Alberts of the Merchant Law Group said almost 100 people have called him since the action was issued.
The computer was stolen March 30, but farmers weren’t told until June 3.
The association administers the federal government’s advance payment program and anyone who applied for the payment was named on the computer along with bank accounts, social insurance numbers and permit book numbers.
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“No one has specifically said that they’ve had identity theft as a result of this loss of information,” Alberts said July 4.
However, he said he knows of a farmer who discovered that a loan in his name had been approved in March and two payments were taken from his bank account before the error was found. There is no evidence that this is related to the computer theft, he added.
Even if identity theft does not occur, Alberts said farmers are incurring costs and emotional distress.
“People are worried,” he said.
“I’m advising everyone to call their bank.”
They should report that their information may have been compromised because of the theft. Credit monitoring agencies will keep an eye on activity for a monthly fee.
That type of cost, including travel and long distance telephone charges to banks, would be part of any compensation.
The action has been filed in the names of James Goby of Avonlea, Sask., and Darryl Oliver of McAuley, Man.
If a judge certifies it as a class action suit, all 32,000 people will be automatically included unless they opt out.
Alberts said the statement of claim has been filed against the canola growers association and the federal government. He expects the certification application to be before a judge by the fall.
“We intend to move it forward quickly,” he said.
The Merchant Law Group is well known for its work in class action cases, including residential schools and breast implants.
Alberts said some cases can take a long time. The breast implant action, for example, has been going on for eight years.
In other situations, he added, the defendants look for an early settlement.
