Fraud: Recognize it; Report it; and Stop it! 

{February 15, 2005} VICTORIA – Thousands of Canadians fall victim to fraud every year. To prevent this, consumers need to become more educated on the types of scams that exist, as well as how to avoid becoming another victim.

The Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority of BC (BPCPA) and the Better Business Bureaus play key roles in consumer protection by advising consumers about their rights and issuing consumer alerts. As enforcement agencies, the BPCPA and the Competition Bureau have the legislative tools to take decisive enforcement action against criminals who scam consumers.

Fraud takes many forms, ranging from identity theft to misleading and deceptive practices. It can affect you in your home, through your blue box, your computer and your telephone. Consumers can protect themselves against three major types of fraud as follows: 

1. Internet Fraud: Scam artists are using the internet for fraudulent activities, such as investment scams, fake business opportunities and fraudulent auctions, among others. The Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority administers consumer protection legislation that protects consumers making online purchases and sets requirements for distance sales contracts. Contact the BPCPA at www.bpcpa.ca or toll-free 1-888-564-9963.  When dealing with a company on the Internet, you may wish to check that they have a third party “seal”, such as the BBB Online Reliability Seal, to reassure consumers of their online security. Contact the Better Business Bureau of Mainland BC at www.bbbvan.org and the Better Business Bureau of Vancouver Island at www.bbbvi.ca.
2. Identity Theft: Identify theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in North America. Now, a new identity theft kit has been developed by the Consumer Measures Committee (CMC) to help consumers recognize identity theft. The kit includes an identity theft checklist on how to protect yourself and what to do if your identity has been stolen. For example, to prevent thieves from accessing your personal records from your blue box, shred your personal papers before throwing them out. To download the identity theft tool kit, visit the CMC website: http://cmcweb.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/incmc-cmc.nsf/en/fe00088e.html
3. Telemarketing Fraud: Telemarketing fraud is a particularly insidious type of fraud as virtually anyone with a telephone can fall victim. Victims of telemarketing fraud come from a variety of racial, age, gender, religious, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds. Criminals use high pressure and deception to scam victims with credit card schemes, foreign lotteries and bogus bonds. Consumers should report incidents of fraud to PhoneBusters, the Canadian Anti-fraud Call Centre. Contact PhoneBusters at 1-888-495-8501 or visit their website at www.phonebusters.com.

To support consumer awareness of the major scams, the Better Business Bureau of Mainland BC and the BC Securities Commission are hosting Scam Jam 2005 on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver. This free one-day anti-fraud event combines education and information about consumer protection.  For more information, visit the Scam Jam website at www.scamjam.ca.

There will also be a fraud awareness event in Victoria, hosted by the Better Business Bureau of Vancouver Island. The Vancouver Island Scam Jam 2005 event will be held on May 18, 2005 at the Victoria Convention Centre. For more information, visit www.bbbvi.ca.