"If
it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!"
Use of the telephone for the sale of a wide range of services or products
can be an effective, legitimate marketing tool for any number of Canadian
businesses. However, the legitimacy of well-known companies has provided
an excellent opportunity for criminals.
Criminals use the same techniques as legitimate companies, but hide behind
the anonymity of the telephone and attempt to defraud thousands and thousands
of Canadians each year.
TIPS
Telefraud is an international problem that
does not respect borders. The combined efforts of the OPP
and the RCMP is a win-win situation for everyone.
Canadians can call the PhoneBusters
National Call Centre toll free number >1-888-495-8501 from anywhere
in the country if they - or someone they know - believe they have
been a victim of a fraudulent telemarketing scheme.
|
The RCMP is involved in a National Task Force known as Project
Phonebusters that was established to combat telemarketing fraud. A
few basic suggestions from Project Phonebusters should help ensure
that you do not fall victim to the tactics of fraudulent telemarketers:
- DO NOT believe that everyone calling with an exciting promotion or
investment opportunity is trustworthy, especially if you do not know
the caller or their company.
- DO NOT invest or purchase a product or service without carefully checking
out the investment, product, service, and the company.
- DO NOT be afraid to request further documentation from the caller
so you can verify the validity of the company.
- DO NOT be fooled by the promise of a valuable prize in return for
a low cost purchase.
- DO NOT be pressured to send money to take advantage of a "special
offer or deal."
- DO NOT be hurried into sending money to claim a prize that is available
for only a "few hours"
- DO NOT disclose information about your finances, bank accounts or
credit cards ( not even the credit card expiry date).
- DO NOT be afraid to hang-up the phone.
- DO contact Project Phonebusters if you are contacted by someone who
promises you great prizes, but you are required to send money in advance
for shipping, handling, taxes, etc.
- DO contact Project Phonebusters if you are contacted by someone who
says that you have won a prize, but you have to purchase a product to
qualify.
Please contact Project Phonebusters to lodge a complaint or request
more information:
- Toll-free telephone: 1-888-495-8501
- Toll-free fax: 1-888-654-9426
- Website: www.phonebusters.com
- Mail: Box 686, North Bay, Ontario P1B 8J8
Or, contact the Competition Bureau of Industry Canada at:
- Toll-free telephone: 1-800-348-5358
- e-mail: compbureau@ic.gc.ca
- Website: http://competition.ic.gc.ca
Links
Ontario
Securities Commission - Investor Alert
Visit the Public
Safety Portal for one-window access to government information, services
and programs related to public safety and security in Canada.
Please
visit the
Canadian
Consumer Information Gateway
|