Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations promotes fairness in the marketplace and champions consumer protection through education, regulation and complaint resolution.

Knowing your rights as a consumer protects you in the marketplace. By being a savvy shopper, you can walk away when a deal doesn't feel right, or when you know you're not being offered value for your money. How do you know when a deal is actually a scam? How can you tell when your rights are being ignored? These are lessons you don't want to learn first-hand.

Your rights are protected in several key marketplace areas (menu on the left), but, you must do your part. Learn what rights you have, and what you can do if you're being treated unfairly.

This site also contains links and information on consumer rights that exist through federal laws. This includes information on chartered banks, charities and advertising.

Fraud Prevention - Recognize it. Report it. Stop it.

Someone in almost a third (31%) of Canadian households has been a victim of marketing fraud by phone, mail or email according to a survey done in 2006.

The highest rate of victimization was not among seniors, as is commonly believed, but rather among those aged 18-35, where the rate is 44%.

Why are so many people being victimized? The scammers are very good at what they do - they are friendly, helpful and come across as trustworthy. They don’t target just those with lots of money. They may provide very authentic looking documents. They may pretend to represent businesses you already deal with.

There are many things that Nova Scotians can do to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of fraud. The key is to stay alert to the possibility of fraud. Such as:

• Be wary of high pressure sales tactics, and especially those urging you to make a deal now or the opportunity will be gone forever.
  
  
• Never pay an administration or processing fee to get a prize you have been told you have won.
  
  
• Never give out bank account or credit card information to a person or business you don’t know, especially if contacted by phone or email.
  
  
• Learn about the charities you would like to donate to - some scammers use names very similar to legitimate and respected charities.
  
  
• Shred documents containing any personal or financial information, including your name and address on envelopes.
  

• Contact the police in your area, even if only a small amount of money is involved.
  
  
• Advise the credit reporting agencies - they can place a fraud alert on your credit report if someone has stolen your identity.
  
  
• Advise PhoneBusters, the Canadian anti-fraud call centre (1-888-495-8501), that you have been a victim. It is also a good idea to contact PhoneBusters also if you were contacted but did not fall for the scam.
  
  

For more information, check out the following:

How to recognize fraud

Tips to reduce identity theft

Check your consumer report

Take the Fraud Quiz

Special Features

Online Lien Check (en français) - Before purchasing a previously owned item, use the Lien Check service to help ensure there are no outstanding loans against it.

Consumer Alert: Check vehicles for flood damage before you buy
Tips for Reducing the Risk of Identity Theft 
[French version -- la version française] 

Stolen & Wrecked Vehicles  - How consumers are protected.

Consumer Information for Young Adults:

• Dealing with Credit - 3.95 MB
• Le crédit - 3.95 MB

• You and your Money - 3.96 MB
• L'argent et vous - 11.9 MB

• A Roof over your Head - 12.2 MB
• Se Loger - 12.4 MB

• In the Driver's Seat - 9.77 MB
• Volant sans se faire voler - 10.5 MB

• Shopping for Satisfaction - 12.7 MB
• Magasiner en toute qui étude - 13.1 MB

 

- Consumer information from federal, provincial and territorial governments.