Canadians are getting wise to fraud, but dropping one’s guard is never wise, for fraudsters are constantly finding new (and often devastating) ways of tricking people out of their hard-earned money. That’s why Fraud Prevention Month is so important. This March marks the 11th anniversary of the annual education and awareness campaign. This year’s theme is: Don’t Buy Into the Fraud.

In 2004, Fraud Prevention Month first began encouraging Canadians to recognize, report, and stop fraud. Every March since, the Government of Canada’s Competition Bureau and its partners in the Fraud Prevention Forum host a variety of events to inform Canadians about the impact of fraud and how to protect themselves.  (The Fraud Prevention Forum gathers more than 125 private sector firms, consumer and volunteer groups, government agencies and law enforcement organizations who are committed to fighting fraud aimed at consumers and businesses.)

The Bureau has assembled a list of helpful tips for people wanting to be more aware of possible scams:

1. Don’t be fooled by the promise of a valuable prize in return for a low-cost purchase.
2. Be extra cautious about calls, emails or mailings offering international bonds or lottery tickets, a portion of a foreign dignitary’s bank account, free vacations, credit repair or schemes with unlimited income potential.
3. Don’t be afraid to hang up the phone, delete the email or close your Internet connection.
4. Never purchase a product or service without carefully checking out the product, service and company.
5. Don’t be afraid to request further documentation from the caller so you can verify the validity of the company.
6. Don’t disclose personal information about your finances, bank accounts, credit cards, social insurance or driver’s license numbers to any business that can’t prove it is legitimate.
7. Shred unwanted personal information such as bank statements, credit card bills, unwanted receipts, cheques, pre-approved credit applications and old tax returns.
8. Check your credit report every year and report problems immediately.
9. If a scam artist contacts you, or if you’ve been defrauded, report it.  These reports are vital to the anti-fraud efforts of law enforcement agencies.

If you think you’ve been a victim of a fraud and wish to report it online, you may do so at the Competition Bureau’s website (http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/). The site also contains valuable information and resources such as free posters to print off and use at your place of business.

The RCMP, one of the partner organizations in the Fraud Prevention Forum, also offers tips and information on protecting yourself against scammers. Find more information at their website: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/scams-fraudes/month-mois-eng.htm. For even more information, and regular information bulletins, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at: http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca

Finally, if you receive a fraudulent call or email, please report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. By doing so, you will help protect vulnerable Canadians from being victimized in future.

-30-