March is Fraud Prevention Month: Learn How to Protect Yourself

OTTAWA, February 25, 2010 — This March, the Competition Bureau is launching the 7th annual Fraud Prevention Month. Whether it’s Internet or mail fraud, deceptive telemarketing or identity theft, fraud is a serious problem.

“By learning how to recognize a scam and report it, consumers and businesses can better protect themselves and assist us in combatting fraud,” said Melanie Aitken, Commissioner of Competition. “We work with our partners in the Fraud Prevention Forum to educate Canadians during Fraud Prevention Month and throughout the year to combat fraudulent activity.”

Fraud Prevention Month is an annual education and awareness campaign in Canada and around the world. The Competition Bureau chairs the Fraud Prevention Forum <01842.html>, a committed group of over 100 private sector firms, consumer and volunteer groups, government agencies and law enforcement organizations, concerned with fighting fraud aimed at consumers and businesses.

During Fraud Prevention Month, Forum members will participate in a number of targeted activities across the country designed to raise awareness among consumers and businesses about the dangers of fraud. Some of these activities include Scam Jams, which are anti–fraud events hosted by Better Business Bureaus, and Community Shred, a one–day shredding event on March 27th organized by Shred–it and held in 13 cities across Canada. Canadians are encouraged to visit a facility in their neighbourhood to shred documents that should not be thrown out with regular garbage.

For a complete list of Forum partners’ activities and tips on how to protect yourself from fraud, please visit www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/fraud .

If you wish to report instances of fraud, contact the Competition Bureau at www.competitionbureau.gc.ca or call 1–800–348–5358 or the Canadian Anti–Fraud Centre (formerly Phonebusters) at www.antifraudcentre.ca or call 1–888–495–8501.

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that contributes to the prosperity of Canadians by protecting and promoting competitive markets and enabling informed consumer choice.

FRAUD: Recognize It. Report It. Stop It.