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Competition Bureau of Canada

Competition Bureau

Section   Site

Fill out this ballot, you could win a fabulous PRIZE or VACATION

WARNING

August 09, 2005 - The Competition Bureau issued a warning to consumers today to exercise caution when filling out ballots or entry forms for contests or prize draws. Before giving away personal information such as their name, address and telephone number, consumers should always take the time to find out who they are dealing with and how that information will be used.

The Bureau and other law enforcement agencies have been receiving complaints from people across the country who recently attended local summer fairs or trade shows and filled out a ballot to enter a draw for a free vacation. They were later contacted by telephone and told that they had won a "free" vacation and just had to pay a promotional fee of about $900.

Complainants report that the caller used high pressure sales tactics and said they had to make a decision on the spot, before asking for a credit card number. At least some consumers who had second thoughts report they had difficulty getting the transaction cancelled. Other complainants who paid the fee and took the trip report that the quality and location of the hotels was not what was represented to them over the phone.

BE ON YOUR GUARD!

Tips to Prevent Being Scammed

  • Be on your guard! Filling out a ballot could mean that your name might be added to lists which are made available to deceptive and fraudulent marketers.
  • High pressured sales that require you to pay for an item immediately may be an indication that you are talking to a scammer.
  • If you win something you should not have to pay a fee to collect your prize.
  • Make sure that you read all the details about the offer contained in any promotional material very carefully (and remember that the material may be misleading).
  • Be careful in sending money up front since recovering losses from scammers will likely prove very difficult, especially in the case of foreign-based scammers.
  • Using a credit card may provide added protection as some credit card companies offer protection against fraudulent use.
  • Avoid revealing bank account or credit card-related information to a business or person that you don’t know.

If you decide that you do not want the vacation after you have authorized the charge on your credit card, contact the company and request a refund. You may wish to contact your provincial or territorial consumer protection agency to determine if there is specific legislation protecting consumers in this type of case. A list of these agencies is available on Industry Canada’s web site: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inoca-bc.nsf/en/ca01506e.html.

Consumers who suspect they have been the victim of misleading advertising or who want information on the application of the Competition Act should contact the Bureau's Information Centre at 1 800 348-5358, or visit our Web site at www.cb-bc.gc.ca.

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that promotes and maintains fair competition so that all Canadians can benefit from competitive prices, product choice and quality service. It oversees the application of the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Textile Labelling Act and the Precious Metals Marking Act.

 

For media enquiries, please contact:
Maureen McGrath
Communications Advisor
Competition Bureau
(819) 953-8982, or (613) 296-2187 (cell) 

For general enquiries, please contact:
Information Centre
Competition Bureau
(819) 997-4282
1-800-348-5358


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