Beware of Online Scammers

Ottawa, April 6, 2010 — The development of the Internet has been among the most important technological innovations of the past twenty years. Millions of Canadians use the Web daily to get their news and to connect with their communities. At the same time, the Web has provided fraudsters with new ways to defraud us with new online scams and online versions of schemes that have been around for decades.

Online fraud costs the economy millions of dollars each year and puts everyone at risk regardless of age, education, income or where they live.

Every year in March, over 100 private and public sector members of the Fraud Prevention Forum support Fraud Prevention Month to remind Canadians to be on the alert for fraud and to report incidents to the proper authorities.

Scammers routinely use online services to make offers to prospective victims or to draw individuals and businesses into fraudulent transactions. Here are a few tips to help you avoid scams and better protect yourself online:

• Never provide details about your bank accounts or credit cards by e-mail before doing background checks.
• Always seek independent advice if an offer involves time pressure, providing personal information, or sending money, particularly if it is for a job or an investment opportunity. If the offer is legitimate, they can wait a day or two for a response.
• If you receive a letter with a cheque after you posted your resume online, saying you are hired as a secret shopper to test the services of a money transfer company...Beware! The cheque might be counterfeit.

For more tips, or to report a scam, contact the Competition Bureau at www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/fraud or call 1-800-348-5358, or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre.ca or call 1-888-495-8501.

Catching these criminals is critical. That is why Fraud Prevention Forum members urge you to recognize it, report it, and help stop it.

For more information, please contact Gabrielle Tassé.