Competition Bureau warns association members to be cautious when renewing their memberships

February 19, 2003 — The Competition Bureau issued a warning today for professionals and businesses to be wary of mailings that appear to be from well-known associations requesting payment for membership. These mailings, in the form of a bill or invoice, use names similar to existing associations of which the recipients may already be members.

Some of the mailings use names such as: Veterinary Association of Canada, Dental Association of Canada, Pharmacists Association of Canada, and the Convenience Store Association of Canada.

Before paying any invoice, businesses and consumers should:

• take careful note to determine if they have agreed to purchase the product or service involved;
• call the phone number listed on the invoice for further details, if there are questions about an invoice;
• contact the usual sales representative to verify the legitimacy of the invoice, if there is any doubt;
• if an invoice has been mistakenly paid, assuming it was a genuine invoice for services rendered, call the company and request an immediate refund.

It is an offence under section 52 of the Competition Act for anyone, for the purpose of promoting a business interest or product, to knowingly or recklessly make a representation to the public that is false or misleading in a material respect.

The Competition Bureau examines complaints of suspected misleading representations in the marketplace. Businesses and consumers who believe they have been misled should contact the Bureau toll free at 1-800-348-5358 or visit the Bureau's Web site at www.competitionbureau.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.

Mailing Samples
Veterinary Association of Canada (PDF:277 KB)
Dental Association of Canada (PDF: 211 KB)

If the following document is not accessible to you, please contact the Competition Bureau's Information Centre Toll free: 1-800-348-5358, Phone: 819- 997-4282 TDD (hearing impaired): 1-800-642-3844 for alternate print formats.

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

For general enquiries, please contact:
Information Centre
Competition Bureau
1-800-348-5358