Mass marketing refers to the sale of products or services of all types, or the solicitation of charitable donations. Mass marketing can be done by telephone, by mail or by Internet.

Mass marketing fraud occurs when a false sales pitch is made while asking you for an immediate payment for a product or service that has not been delivered yet and that never will. Mass marketing fraud can consist of:

• Solicitating donations for a charitable organization that doesn't exist;
• Obtaining private banking or credit card information for malicious use; or
• Offering a prize/lottery winnings for which you must pay fees to receive your so-called prize.

Criminals will also steal your money by sending you a counterfeit cheque, asking you to deposit the cheque in your account. The con artists will then ask you to take out part of the money and send it back to them, as payment for a bogus fee of some sort.

Not all telemarketers are criminals. However, there are a number of signs that can help you recognize mass marketing fraud. For example:

You've won a big prize in a contest that you don't recall entering, or you're offered a once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunity that offers a huge return.

The caller will ask you for money to pay for delivery, processing, taxes or any other so-called administration fee in order to release your winnings. Legitimate lotteries will never ask the winners to send money to receive their prize. In Canada, it's illegal!

The caller will ask for your confidential banking and/or credit card information.

The caller will ask you to pay in cash, by wire transfer or money order, rather than by cheque or credit card.

The criminal wants to get you excited about this so-called opportunity so that you won't take the time to think about it and make an informed decision.

The person calling claims to be a government official, police officer, tax official, banking official, lawyer or any other person in authority.

The caller addresses you by your first name and asks you various questions about yourself or your lifestyle: e.g. How often do your children visit? Do you live alone? You are also told to keep this phone call confidential and secret.

If you are pressured into making an important decision immediately, it's probably not a legitimate deal.

The caller is usually very articulate, persistent, convincing, friendly, and always seems to have an answer for eveything.

Anyone can be a victim, and there are different ways to protect yourself from it. Here are some tips:

• Never send money!
• Never give personal information to anyone, especially banking and credit card information.
• Be careful when filling out sweepstakes coupons for a contest or draw, the information can be misused by dishonest people.
• Do not answer unsolicited letters or e-mails.
• Ask your phone company to block unsolicited phone numbers.
• Never act too quickly. Seek advice from a family member, a friend, a support group or your bank teller. Rely on people you can trust.
• You have the right to check any caller by requesting written information, a call back number, references and most importantly, time to think over the offer.
• If you have doubts about a caller, just hang up. It's not rude; it's the smart thing to do! The longer you stay on the line, the greater your chances of being victimised.

• A family member or a friend for advice. Rely on people you trust. Seeking advice or just speaking about it with someone you know and trust can help you make a better decision.
• The Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre (PhoneBusters) at 1-888-495-8501 or visit their website at www.antifraudcentre.ca to report any suspicious call or seek more information about mass marketing fraud.
• The Centre of Operations Linked to Telemarketing Fraud (COLT) at 514-939-8304 / 1-800-771-5401 or visit their website at www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/index-eng.htm.
• The Competition Bureau Canada at 1-800-348-5358 or visit their website at www.competitionbureau.gc.ca.

Remember, you're not alone.

There are people who can help you.