Service NL
March 1, 2016

Protecting Families and Communities from Fraud

Enhancing Consumer Awareness Promotes Consumer Protection

In order to raise awareness of the dangers of various types of fraud and equip Canadians with valuable knowledge to safeguard against it, March is nationally recognized as Fraud Prevention Month.

"Falling victim to fraud can cause devastating, long-lasting effects on individuals and families. Service NL encourages all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to become familiar with the warning signs of fraud and report all suspicious activity to policing agencies, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, or the Financial Services Regulation Division of Service NL. In the fight against fraud, knowledge is power."
- The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Service NL

Service NL suggests the following fraud-prevention tips to consumers:

• Check the registration of individuals and companies that sell securities at the National Registration Search through www.aretheyregistered.ca ;
• Check for valid licences/registrations of individuals and companies that offer prepaid funerals, insurance, real estate, and mortgage brokering services in this province at www.servicenl.gov.nl.ca;
• Contact Service NL at 709-729-2596 for any additional questions with respect to individuals and companies selling securities, real estate, insurance, prepaid funerals and mortgage brokering services in this province; and
• Consumers can call the Consumer Affairs Division of Service NL with questions or complaints regarding misleading advertising or email, mail or telephone scams at 1-877-968-2600.

For more information about existing and emerging types of fraud, visit Canadian Securities Administrators at www.securities-administrators.ca or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca .

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to providing regulation and information that protects the interests of consumers in a wide range of financial activities taking place throughout the province.

QUICK FACTS:

• March is National Fraud Prevention Month.
• For more information about existing and emerging types of fraud, visit Canadian Securities Administrators at www.securities-administrators.ca or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca .
• Consumers can call the Consumer Affairs Division of Service NL at 1-800-968-2600, or 709-729-2596 with any additional questions.

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Media contact:

Jason Card Director of Communications Service NL 709-729-4860, 699-0470 jasoncard@gov.nl.ca

2016 03 01                              9:55 a.m.