Consumers encouraged to learn how to recognize fraud

Government Services Minister Dianne Whalen is warning consumers to take the appropriate measures to protect themselves to ensure they don�t join the thousands of other Canadians who are defrauded each year.

The Consumer and Commercial Affairs Division of the Department of Government Services is encouraging people to use February�s Fraud Awareness Month campaign to become better educated about how to recognize when they are being targeted by a fraudster, and what to do about it.

"We are all potential victims of people who make a living from defrauding other people out of their money," Minster Whalen said. "We need to educate ourselves to stop these crimes from being committed. We need to ensure potential victims have the information they need to recognize a scam and the wherewithal to report it so it can be stopped."

Over 35 private and public sector organizations have come together for this campaign in an attempt to educate Canadians and eliminate fraud, including Rogers Communications, Canadian Tire, Loblaws, Sears and Staples. These organizations, many of which have a presence in this province, are distributing millions of fliers, posters and tip cards in their regular mailings to consumers over the course of the month.

Fraud by telephone, Internet and mail is a serious and growing problem, including within this province. Consumers should be careful of callers who demand an immediate answer, or request credit card or bank account numbers and other personal information.

E-mail scams are especially common in this province as the Internet knows no borders. Consumers should never respond to e-mails offering a big prize or payout on the condition that you send money. Your prize will never come, and your money will be gone.

"A good rule to follow is, if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is," Minister Whalen said. "Legitimate lotteries and sweepstake companies don�t charge fees or make you buy a product to receive your prize."

Anyone who believes they may have been targeted by a scam artist should call PhoneBusters at 1-888-495-8501. PhoneBusters is a national anti-fraud call centre. Reporting incidents of fraud or fraudulent scams might protect others from becoming victims.

For more information on Fraud Awareness Month and tips on how consumers can protect themselves from being victims of fraud, visit the Competition Bureau of Canada�s Web site at: //strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/incb-bc.nsf/en/ct03034e.html

Media contact: Tracy Barron, Communications, (709)729-4860 or 690-6157

2005 02 10                           3:15 p.m.