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Business Tips
Avoid Scams and Fraud.
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Fraud
Be aware of some of the common signs of fraud. Walk away from offers that sound too good to be true.
They usually are. Toss out the mail or hang up the phone when you see or hear the following:
- Sign now or the price will increase.
- You have been specially selected...
- You have won and must pay a fee to collect your prize...
- All we need is your credit card (or bank account) number; it's for identification only.
- All you pay for is postage, handling, taxes...
- Make money in your spare time, guaranteed income...
- We really need you to buy magazines (a water purifier, a vacation package, office products) from us because you can earn 15 extra credits...
- I just happen to have some leftover paving material from a job down the street...
- Be your own boss! Never work for anyone else again. Just send in $50 for your supplies and...
- A new car! A trip to Hawaii! $2 500 in cash! Yours, absolutely free! Take a look at our...
- Your special claim number entitles you to join our sweepstakes.
- We just happen to be in your area and have toner for your copy machine at a reduced price.
Remember, the smart consumer always looks at the total price and checks out the company and product before buying. Stay away from telemarketers who want to do the following:
- send a courier for your money;
- have you send money by wire;
- offer you a free prize, but charge you handling and shipping fees;
- automatically withdraw money from your chequing account;
- get payment in advance, especially for employment referrals, credit repair or providing a loan or credit card (Alberta and Ontario laws prohibit a loan broker from asking for money before the consumer gets the loan)
- have you join a pyramid or multilevel sales scheme
These are all ways to separate you from your money. To report telemarketing fraud, get in touch with PhoneBusters at 1-888-495-8501 or visit PhoneBusters.
PhoneBusters is the national anti-fraud telemarketing call centre operated by the Ontario Provincial Police in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and supported by industry and government partners.
You can learn about consumer scams and find advice on how to deal with them on the RCMP Web site. You can also contact your provincial or territorial office of consumer affairs.
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