Victoria’s Read

March is Fraud Prevention Month

FRAUD: RECOGNIZE IT. REPORT IT. STOP IT.

 Protect Yourself from Fraud

Don’t be fooled by the promise of a valuable prize in return for a low-cost purchase.

Don’t be afraid to hang up the phone, delete the email or close your Internet connection.

Shred unwanted personal information such as bank statements, credit card bills, unwanted receipts, cheques, pre-approved credit applications and old tax returns.

Don’t purchase a product or service without carefully checking out the product, service and company.

Don’t be afraid to request further documentation from the caller so you can verify the validity of the company.
Check your credit report every year and report problems immediately.

Don’t disclose personal information about your finances, bank accounts, credit cards, social insurance and driver’s license numbers to any business that can’t prove it is legitimate.

Request written, detailed information, including references, from companies to research any offer.

Be extra cautious about calls, e-mails or mailings offering international bonds or lottery tickets, a portion of a foreign dignitary’s bank account, free vacations, credit repair or schemes with unlimited income potential.

If a scam artist contacts you, or you’ve been defrauded, call PhoneBusters, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre, at 1-888-495-8501. 

www.competitionbureau.gc.ca