Fraud Prevention Forum

Backgrounder

March 03, 2008

FRAUD: RECOGNIZE IT. REPORT IT. STOP IT.

The Fraud Prevention Forum is a concerned group of private sector firms, consumer and volunteer groups, government agencies and law enforcement organizations, who are committed to fighting fraud aimed at consumers and businesses. Through its partners, the Forum, which is chaired by the Competition Bureau, works to prevent Canadians from becoming victims of fraud by educating them on how to recognize it, report it and stop it.

Since 2004, the Forum has been has been organizing a month-long education campaign in March to address the issue of fraud and ensure confidence in the marketplace. Interest in the campaign has resulted in a considerable increase in membership, from 22 in 2004 to over 100 today.

To gauge the public’s awareness and understanding, The Strategic Counsel conducted a post-Fraud Prevention Month survey in 2007 of Canadians aged 18 years and older. Some of the results were:

• 20% were the victim of identity theft
• 35% were the victim of mass marketing fraud (by phone, mail or Internet)
• 59% said public education is the most effective approach to combatting mass marketing fraud and identity theft in Canada
• 82% said mass marketing fraud is on the rise

At the international level, the Fraud Prevention Forum model has been adopted around the world. Thirty countries, including the Australia, Belgium, Japan, United Kingdom and the United States will host Fraud Prevention Month activities this year.