Common scams and deceptive marketing practices and how to avoid them
These short articles, originally issued by the Bureau as consumer and business alerts, contain information on how you can avoid falling victim to deceptive marketing practices and scams.
| Date | Subject | Article | Hidden Search Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-03-02 March 2, 2022 | Fake reviews | Five-star fake out | customers, online, consumer reviews |
| 2018-10-29 March 10, 2017 | Snow removal agreements | Snow removal businesses: Avoid a flurry of problems, steer clear of illegal agreements | price, price fixing, agreement, territory, customers, clientele, discussion, collusion, snow, plowing, snow removal |
| 2021-03-15 March 15, 2021 | Scams targeted at businesses | Taking care of business | scam, fraud, fraudsters, consumers |
| 2021-03-01 March 1, 2021 | Non-delivery scams | Non-delivery scams: When nothing comes to those who wait | shopping online, fraud, online marketplace, consumers |
| 2020-03-11 March 11, 2020 | Trapped subscriptions | Subscription traps: “no-strings attached” trial offers could leave you with your hands tied | shopping online, fraud, online marketplace, consumers |
| 2019-11-29 November 29, 2019 | Third-party sellers | Check Out the Seller Before You Checkout | shopping online, fraud, online marketplace, third-party sellers, shopping surprises |
| 2017-11-07 November 7, 2017 | Appliance warranties | Seven questions you should ask before buying new appliances | fridge, refrigerator, washer, dryer, stove, range, warranty, guarantee, repair, appliances, manufacturer |
| 2019-02-27 February 27, 2019 | Bamboo fabric | Don't be bamboozled: The real deal with "bamboo fabric" | bamboo, fabric, environment, chemicals, false, deceptive, advertising |
| 2018-04-17 April 17, 2018 | Business contracts | What you don't know about contracts could hurt your business | business, automatic renewal clause, price escalation clause, exclusivity clause, terms and conditions, fine print, quote |
| 2018-04-25 April 25, 2018 | Business directories | Business directories: Double-check before writing a cheque | directory, spam, email, fax, telemarketing |
| 2017-06-21 June 21, 2017 | CEO impersonation | Show them who's the boss—shut down the fake CEO scam | letter, fake CEO, wire transfer, boss, employee, company |
| 2018-09-04 September 4, 2018 | Charity scams | Happy International Day of Charity: Give with confidence | charity, fake charity, charities, donating, donate, donations, giving |
| 2016-11-21 November 21, 2016 | Cheap luxury items | High‑end online shopping at "bargain basement" prices | bargain, knock-offs, designer, brand names, fashion, counterfeit, fake, purses, watches, clothes, shoes |
| 2017-05-12 May 12, 2017 | Computer virus/repair scams | Hang up on tech experts claiming your computer has a virus; it's a scam | Windows, computers, computer, tech, tech support, IT, viruses, virus, repair |
| 2018-03-19 March 19, 2018 | Contests and prizes | A special prize just for you? Don't be fooled into believing you are a sweepstakes winner | letter, official, pre-addressed reply, contest, prize, scam, win, winner, sweepstakes |
| 2018-02-15 February 15, 2018 | Credit card debt relief services | Debt relief promises: Tips for choosing a debt relief service that keeps its word | bankruptcy, creditors, credit card, guarantee, debts, loans, counsellor, debt relief, debt services |
| 2018-10-29 October 29, 2018 | Cryptocurrency | Tales from the cryptocurrency investment ghouls, goblins and ghosts | cryptocurrency, bitcoin, pyramid scheme, investments, get rich quick, celebrity, endorsements, testimonials |
| 2017-01-23 January 23, 2017 | Environmental claims | It's not easy being green. Businesses must back up their words | Environment, green, green product, eco-friendly, safe, organic, biodegradable |
| 2019-08-29 August 29, 2019 | Fake government websites | Government websites: Spot the legitimate among the fakes | scam, scam website, federal, government, spoof website, official, deceptive practices, google, search |
| 2017-05-10 May 10, 2017 | Flowers online | Avoid the wrong kind of surprise this Mother's Day | flowers, bouquet, arrangement, online shopping, gift |
| 2017-09-20 September 20, 2017 | Free trial offers | Free trial that turns out to be a monthly subscription: It's a trap | monthly fees, fee, credit card, subscription, pop-up surveys, charges, continuity scam |
| 2016-03-08 March 8, 2016 | Free trial offers | Subscription traps: “no-strings attached” trial offers could leave you with your hands tied | subscription, trap, online offer, free trial, fees, charges, monthly, limited time, unwanted deliveries |
| 2016-03-18 March 18, 2016 | Government grants, loans, and benefits | Don't trust companies that promise government grants and loans | government, application, approval, official |
| 2016-03-30 March 30, 2016 | Immigration scams | Scammers reaching new lows as they focus their efforts on defrauding immigrants and refugees | refugee, asylum, threatening, government, government official, police, deportation, arrest, fake programs, fraud |
| 2017-03-07 March 7, 2017 | Intellectual property | Beware of emails and letters demanding payment to protect your intellectual property rights | Canadian Intellectual Property Office, CIPO, solicitation, copyright, trademark, rights, lawyer |
| 2016-03-31 March 31, 2016 | Investment scams | Beware the green gremlin of investment fraud | high-pressure sales, Ontario Securities Commission, OSC, fraudulent, returns, real estate, stock |
| 2017-03-14 March 14, 2017 | Investment scams | Don't invest in fraud: Know how to spot investment scams | fraud, risk, insider information, stocks, stock market, bonds, returns, hot tip, insider information, pressure tactic |
| 2017-12-15 December 15, 2017 | iTunes gift card as payments | Fill your library, not their wallets | government, CRA, taxes, payment, extortion, gift card, iTunes, back taxes, telemarketing |
| 2018-07-09 July 9, 2018 | Leather furniture | Leather furniture… True or faux? Cheat sheet: types of “leather” in furniture |
full grain, top grain, bonded leather, faux leather, vegan leather |
| 2019-07-02 July 2, 2019 | Loyalty programs | Customer loyalty programs: What is your brand loyalty worth? | reward, rewards, hidden, loyalty, loyal, free, frequent, incentives, incentive, VIP, points, cash back, insider, perks |
| 2017-08-01 August 1, 2017 | Movers and moving | The next time you move, dodge the "rogue movers" who take your belongings hostage | belongings, move, moving, mover, house, home, apartment, surprise fees, certification, Canada Anti-Fraud Centre, Better Business Bureau, BBB |
| 2019-02-14 February 14, 2019 | Online dating websites | Online dating: Know what you're signing up for | deceptive, terms, conditions, free, trial, membership, advertising |
| 2017-02-10 February 10, 2017 | Online dating websites | Know the price of love | dating, online profile, hidden fees, fake profile, match |
| 2018-11-21 November 21, 2018 | Cancelled discount | Bargain hunting season could turn into a wild goose chase | bait and switch, false, advertising, scam, online, discounts, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, basket, checkout, online shopping, cancel, cancellation |
| 2017-07-13 July 13, 2017 | Online price isn’t in Canadian dollars | Mind the "$": Is that price in Canadian or American dollars? | exchange rate, currency, dollars, shopping, online shopping |
| 2017-10-31 October 31, 2017 | Psychics | Unexpected letters from a psychic: All signs point to fraud | clairvoyant, fortune teller, elderly, ESP |
| 2018-06-27 June 27, 2018 | Pyramid schemes | Becoming your own boss: Yes, but not at any cost | membership fees, financial, entrepreneur, multi-level marketing, business owner, work from home |
| 2016-05-03 May 3, 2016 | Real estate seminars | Don't flip for "free" real estate investment seminars | risk, debt, quick money, quick profit, secret, strategies, testimonials |
| 2018-08-16 August 16, 2018 | Rental accommodations | Rental scam: No room for error | bargain price, student, university, college, Kijiji, Facebook, amenities, deposit, agreement, property, rent, picture |
| 2018-12-11 December 11, 2018 | Smart toys | Be smart with smart toys: Know when to pull the plug | network, Wi-Fi, smart plug, toy, toys, app, apps, ads, connected |
| 2017-07-26 July 26, 2017 | Snow removal agreements | Summer is still in full swing, but winter is just a season away | contracts, season, credentials, subcontracting, clause, snow, plowing, plow |
| 2017-03-10 March 10, 2017 | Snow removal agreements | Snow removal businesses: Avoid a flurry of problems, steer clear of illegal agreements | price-fixing, price, agreement, territory, customers, discussion, collusion, plowing, plow |
| 2016-08-08 August 8, 2016 | Sports streaming packages | Foul play: Sports streaming packages' fine print can hide true terms and conditions | hockey, football, gold, basketball, baseball, advertising, marketing, TV, entertainment, sports |
| 2018-05-24 May 24, 2018 | Survey scams | Pop-up surveys can be a) scams b) traps c) costly? | survey, free product, clickbait, shipping fee, online survey |
| 2019-05-16 May 16, 2019 | Telecom service agreements | Telecom service agreements: That "forever" price may only be a "for now" price | Cell, phone, phones, pricing, contract, deceptive, agreement, false, mobile, cooling, Internet, television, terms of service, switching |
| 2016-12-08 December 8, 2016 | Travel fees | Traveling for the Holidays? Don't get wrapped up in surprise fees | package deal, tickets, hotel, accommodation, airline, resort fee, restrictions, blackout |
| 2016-07-18 July 18, 2016 | Water heater and HVAC sales | Competition Bureau warns consumers about deceptive door-to-door sales of water heaters and HVAC systems | water heater, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, contract, terms and conditions, door to door, salesman |
| 2016-04-18 April 18, 2016 | Water heater contracts | Home buyers surprised at high fees to exit water heater rental contracts | homebuyer, rental contract, exit fee, fees, door-to-door sales |
| 2018-01-15 January 15, 2018 | Weightloss scams | Experiencing the post-holiday weight blues? Be careful! Many diets or fat-burning products may only lighten your wallet | new year, calories, fat, patches, creams, lotions, wraps, body belts, exercise, dieting, unhealthy, supplements, claims, results, doctor, deceptive advertising |
- Date modified: