Scams/Fraud

FRAUD. RECOGNIZE IT. REPORT IT. STOP IT. (253 KB)

This brochure was prepared in partnership with the Competition Bureau of Canada, Ontario Provincial Police and Phonebusters. The brochure is available in Adobe Acrobat format. To read Adobe Acrobat files, you may need to download and install the free Adobe Reader available from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

RECOGNIZING THE BIG PRIZE SCAM Legitimate lottery, prize and sweepstakes administrators never charge up-front fees to deliver your prize. This is one of the most common scams – if you send money you will never get it back.

RECOGNIZING CREDIT OFFER FRAUD Students, new Canadians and people who have experienced credit problems are often approached by fraud artists who offer low-interest loans and credit cards – for a fee. People who pay the fee don’t receive their loan or card, and they never get their money back.

RECOGNIZING IDENTITY THEFT Don’t give out driver’s license, bank account or social insurance numbers on the phone or Internet. Legitimate businesses contacting you by those means won't ask for that information. If you are purchasing something, be sure you are buying from a legitimate business before you give your credit card information.

NOT SURE? CALL PHONEBUSTERS 1-888-495-8501 www.phonebusters.com Protecting yourself from fraud begins with learning to recognize it. Call PhoneBusters to report fraud and to learn more ways to protect yourself, your family and friends.