In recent years, fraudulent telemarketing has become a problem in North America. Legitimate operations are increasingly becoming tainted by the rise in bogus schemes, Consumers are also experiencing frustration with the number of calls that they are receiving from telemarketers. Many of the tips to avoid deceptive mailouts also apply to phone fraud:

• Protect yourself. You are in control of the conversation Don’t let the telemarketer bully you.
• Never pay to receive a prize.
• Don’t give out your personal details. Don’t give anyone information that will allow them to know you better.
• High pressure sales are a clue to a fraud. Refuse to be pressured into making a decision.
• Don’t send money. Ask for information to be sent to you in writing.
• Say no if you are uncertain and hang up the phone.
• Once you respond, you may be added to a “sucker list” and your name sold to others.
• Check out the company with your local BBB to see if they have received any complaints.
• Ask for the telemarketer's license number.
• Report phone fraud to PhoneBusters, a Canadian anti-fraud call centre.

• Determine if the company is legitimate. Look them up in the phone book and phone them to confirm their address.
• To search for legitimate charities online, click Charities Directorate.
• If you do decide to send money after doing your research, always make your cheque out to the agency’s name, never to an individual.

• Be informed. Third party fundraisers are also required to have a license in BC.
• As a consumer, you may ask telemarketers for their licence number.
• Check here to search for a list of telemarketers and third party fundraisers who are licensed with Consumer Protection BC.

Don’t forget, legitimate telemarketers have nothing to hide.

To obtain information about the licencing of third party fundraisers and telemarketers, to voice a concern about telemarketers, to obtain more information about Consumer Protection BC or to find out about your rights and responsibilities as a consumer or a business, please visit our website, call us at 1 888 564-9963 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

A special tip from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Gather information about a charity before you donate to it, especially if you are not familiar with the organization. The CRA website includes a useful resource called Giving to Charity: Information for donors. This user-friendly tool explains how to search the CRA’s Charities Listings, an online searchable list of all the registered charities in Canada.