Brazil, with a population of over 210 million people distributed across 26 states and a federal district, uses various identification documents to ensure the identification and exercise of the rights and duties of citizens and businesses. These documents vary in terms of their purpose, scope, and validity.
The CPF is a crucial document for identification with the Federal Revenue Service of Brazil, the agency responsible for administering federal taxes. It consists of 11 digits, including two verification digits. The CPF is mandatory for all Brazilians and foreign residents in the country and is required for a wide range of financial operations, such as opening bank accounts, applying for credit, and declaring income taxes, among others.
Furthermore, the CPF is essential for access to social programs, such as Bolsa Família, and for participation in public contests, selection processes, and enrollments in educational institutions. The CPF number can also be printed on the identity card or national driver's license.
The RG is an identification document with state public security agencies. It consists of a sequential number followed by the acronym of the issuing state. The RG contains information such as name, date of birth, parentage, photo, signature, and the bearer's fingerprint. In addition to serving as an identification document, the RG is valid throughout the national territory and can be used as a travel document to Mercosur countries.
It's important to note that the RG is often required in situations like opening bank accounts, obtaining official documents, and participating in public contests. Obtaining an RG is also linked to the mandatory military enlistment service for men over 18 years of age.
The CNPJ is a document that identifies a company with the Federal Revenue Service of Brazil. It consists of 14 digits, including two verification digits. The CNPJ contains information such as the corporate name, trade name, address, economic activity, capital stock, among others.
For companies, the CNPJ is essential as it's required for conducting commercial activities, issuing invoices, hiring employees, and complying with tax obligations. Additionally, it's used for obtaining credit, opening business bank accounts, and participating in public bids. The CNPJ number can also be printed on the business operating permit or the Simples Nacional card.
The RENAVAM is a document that identifies a vehicle with the National Department of Transit (Denatran), the agency responsible for coordinating state transit authorities. It consists of 11 digits and contains information such as make, model, year, color, license plate, chassis number, among others.
In addition to being mandatory for all vehicles in circulation, the RENAVAM is essential for vehicle transfers, payment of vehicle-related fees and taxes, obtaining annual licensing, and performing services such as property transfer and change of municipality.
The RENAVAM number can also be found on the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Certificate (CRLV) or on the Denatran portal.
The CRV is a document that proves vehicle ownership with the state's Department of Motor Vehicles (Detran) where the owner resides. It contains the same information as the RENAVAM and also serves as a document for transferring vehicle ownership.
In addition to the mentioned functions, the CRV is essential for the sale or purchase of used vehicles, as it formalizes the transfer of ownership, ensuring that the transaction is registered and legalized. Therefore, it's important to keep it in a safe place and not carry it with the vehicle.
Concerns about data security are of global significance, and Brazil is not immune to incidents of sensitive information leaks that can have significant impacts on the privacy and security of its citizens.
In January 2021, the largest data leak in Brazil's history occurred. Approximately 223 million Brazilian CPFs were made available for free on an internet forum, with a hacker selling information related to these individuals, including address, phone number, email, credit score, salary, income, and much more.
There is no tool available to check if your data is included in the file, and it's likely that such a tool will not be developed. Last year, the Supreme Federal Court (STF) ordered the removal of the "Fui Vazado" website, which allowed checking by CPF to see what types of data were present in the mega leak.
Furthermore, it's important to remember that protecting your personal data on the internet is crucial to prevent fraud, intrusion, identity theft, and other issues. Here are some measures you can take to enhance your online security:
- Manage your passwords: Use strong, unique, and hard-to-guess passwords for each service you use. It's recommended to change passwords periodically and not share them with anyone. Consider using a password manager to store and generate secure passwords.
- Avoid sharing sensitive information on social media: Refrain from disclosing data like address, phone number, CPF, RG, income, location, routine, and more. This information can be exploited by criminals to impersonate you or track your movements. Adjusting the privacy settings on your social networks is a recommended practice.
- Recognize and avoid scams: Avoid clicking on suspicious links, opening unknown attachments, and providing personal data on untrustworthy websites or emails. Many scams use phishing techniques to deceive you and obtain your data or install malware on your device. Additionally, using antivirus and a firewall can strengthen your computer or mobile device's protection against threats.
- Exercise caution in online shopping: Make purchases only on trusted websites and verify if they use the HTTPS protocol, indicating a secure connection. Avoid using credit or debit cards on unknown or suspicious websites, opting for digital cards or online payment services to protect your banking data.
- Be wary of public networks: Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks or shared computers to access services that require your personal data, such as email, banking services, and social networks. These networks may be monitored by hackers or contain malware. If you must use a public network, consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your traffic and enhance security.
Protecting and being aware of data security is fundamental in the digital age, where personal information is increasingly interconnected with our daily lives. By adopting proactive online security measures, you will contribute to safeguarding your privacy and preventing potential cyber threats.