Government Services December 16, 2008
Consumers Should Be Concerned About Fraudulent Phone Calls
Scam artists have various ways of trying to
fraudulently obtain consumers� personal information, such as credit card
numbers, and consumers need to protect themselves and recognize these
scams for what they are. The Consumer and Commercial Affairs Branch of the
Department of Government Services is warning of a possible scam which
involves a caller claiming to be from the policyholder�s insurance
company and demanding immediate payment, by credit card, of an
outstanding amount on the client�s premium. The caller threatens to
cancel the policy if payment is not received immediately by credit card. "It is very important for everyone to know that you
should never give out personal information or financial information to a
person or company calling, e-mailing or mailing you," said the
Honourable Kevin O�Brien, Minister of Government Services. "If you
suspect the phone call is suspicious in nature, do not hesitate to end
the call immediately and call your insurance company to confirm that the
call was not legitimate." Anyone receiving a suspicious phone call regarding
their insurance policy should call the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary,
the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or call the Insurance Bureau of Canada
at 1-877-IBC-TIPS. In addition, anyone who has been targeted by a scam
should call PhoneBusters at 1-888-495-8501 or visit their website at
www.phonebusters.com for more
information. The Consumer and Commercial Affairs Branch provides
consumer protection through three divisions including the Financial
Services Regulation division which regulates the insurance industry. - 30 -
Media contact: 2008 12 16
9:45 a.m. |
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