Fraud Prevention Forum

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. Stop it."

To help prevent this problem and ensure confidence in the marketplace, the Forum organizes a month–long education campaign each March to improve consumers’ awareness and understanding about the dangers of fraud.

To gauge Canadians’ awareness and understanding, the Competition Bureau conducted a survey of one thousand Canadians, aged 18 years and older. Some of the results were:

• 35% were the victim of mass marketing fraud (by phone, mail or email)
• 20% were the victim of identity theft

The Forum’s month–long campaign of public education and awareness activities during Fraud Prevention Month include:

• Scam Jams, which are one–day anti–fraud events hosted by Better Business Bureaus that combine education and information about consumer protection
• Public Service Announcements in French- and English-language dailies and on radio and TV stations across the country
• Other fraud prevention–related activities

Membership in the Forum has grown considerably over the years. At the initial launch in 2004, there were 22 members. Today, there are over 100. Please click here for a list of the partners.

At the international level, the Fraud Prevention Forum model has been adopted around the world. Twenty-nine countries, including the U.S., Australia, England, Chile and Japan, host Fraud Prevention Month activities.