Competition Bureau joins partners to announce Top 10 Scams - March is Fraud Prevention Month: Recognize, Reject and Report Fraud! Français
OTTAWA, March 1, 2017 /CNW/ - The Competition Bureau congratulates the Better Business Bureau for its efforts in compiling a list of the Top 10 Scams affecting Canadians nationwide. The list is the result of a survey that collected input from Quebec-based Option consommateurs, nine provincial Better Business Bureaus, the Competition Bureau and other fraud prevention partners. This list of scams will help Canadians with the knowledge they need to recognize, reject and report fraudulent activities to authorities.
Today's announcement is part of Fraud Prevention Month (FPM) 2017. The Bureau and its Fraud Prevention Forum partners will be making a number of announcements throughout FPM to help communicate the harm that fraud does to consumers and businesses, and the types of scams that are affecting Canadians. Stay connected and make sure you have the right information to help yourself recognize, reject and report fraud!
Quick Facts
- From January 2014 to December 2016, it is estimated that Canadians lost over $290 million to fraudsters.
- In 2016 alone, online scams accounted for more than 20,000 complaints and more than $40 million in losses by Canadians.
- The Competition Bureau and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre received almost 90,000 complaints in 2016, compared to just under 70,000 in 2015.
Quote
"Consumers and businesses play a crucial role in the fight against fraud. By recognizing scams and reporting them, consumers and businesses can protect themselves and assist the Bureau and its partners in stopping fraud."
John Pecman
Commissioner of Competition
Related Information
- To report instances of fraud, contact the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre.ca, or call 1‑888‑495‑8501.
- To report cases of misleading representations and deceptive marketing, contact the Bureau at www.competitionbureau.gc.ca, or call 1‑800‑348‑5358.
- Scams can also be reported to the BBB Scam Tracker at www.bbb.org/scamtracker.
Associated Links
- Learn more about Fraud Prevention.
www.competitionbureau.gc.ca
Enquiries/Complaints
The Competition Bureau, as an independent law enforcement agency, ensures that Canadian businesses and consumers prosper in a competitive and innovative marketplace.
SOURCE Competition Bureau
Contacts: For media enquiries, please contact: Media Relations, Telephone: 819-994-5945, Email: [email protected] ; For general enquiries, please contact: Information Centre, Competition Bureau, Telephone: 819-997-4282, Toll free: 1-800-348-5358, TTY (hearing impaired): 1-800-642-3844
Share this article