Competition Bureau Applauds New Report on Counterfeit Checks and Money Orders

March 19, 2007 – The Competition Bureau, as a long-standing member of the Binational Mass Marketing Fraud Working Group, one of several subgroups under the Canada/U.S. Cross Border Crime Forum, is pleased with the joint release of Public Safety Canada’s and the US Department of Justice's “Public Advisory: Special Report on Counterfeit Checks and Money Orders”. This report educates consumers about the growing problem of counterfeit cheque scams and how they can protect themselves.

Mass Marketing Fraud, including the distribution of counterfeit cheques and money orders, poses a serious threat to the Canadian economy and undermines consumers’ confidence in legitimate marketing practices. The Bureau is active in combating these types of cross-border scams. Last month, the Bureau investigated and charged two Toronto-based operators of a scam involving fraudulent cheques: http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/epic/site/cb-bc.nsf/en/02579e.html

Victims targeted by Mass Marketing Fraud operations are encouraged to report incidences to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre, a joint program of the Competition Bureau, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Ontario Provincial Police. March is Fraud Prevention Month. "Fraud: Recognize It. Report It. Stop It."

The report can be found on Public Safety Canada’s Web site at: http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/prg/le/oc/cbc-eng.aspx

For media enquiries, please contact:

Pamela Wong
Communications Advisor
External Relations and Public Affairs Branch
819-953-7734

For general enquiries, please contact:

Information Centre
Competition Bureau
819-997-4282
Toll free: 1-800-348-5358
TDD (hearing impaired): 1-800-642-3844
compbureau@cb-bc.gc.ca