1 March 2018

Fraud Prevention Month: united front against scammers – Option consommateurs takes part in awareness campaign

News

Option consommateurs

March 1, 2018 – OTTAWA, ON – Competition Bureau
Option consommateurs, the Competition Bureau, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the Sûreté du Québec join together today to launch the 14th edition of Fraud Prevention Month with a panel discussion on fraud.

The four partners will discuss their organization’s respective role in fighting fraud and focused on scams that seem increasingly threatening to Canadians, such as subscription traps, free trials and health scams. The panel will also talk about how Canadians can sharpen their fraud fighting skills.

The fight against fraud starts with each one of us. It starts with knowing more about it. As they say, knowledge is power. It’s all about recognizing the signs, rejecting the claims that seem suspicious and reporting them to the authorities. Trust your instincts. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Over the course of the month, the Competition Bureau and its partners will be participating in a number of events and activities to raise awareness about new and ongoing scams. Stay connected to make sure you have the information you need to arm yourself in the fight against fraud.

Quick Facts

Follow #FPM2018 on Twitter to read about and join in the conversation on fraud prevention.
Option consommateurs promotes and defends the interests of consumers and ensures that their interests are respected. They take a close interest in questions related to personal finances, financial services, business practices and private life, among others.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is the central agency in Canada that collects information and criminal intelligence fraud.
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) is the Québec provincial police force. The SQ also supports the police community and coordinates major operations.
Check the Better Business Bureau’s Top 10 Scams and see how much fraud costs Canadians.

Quotes

“Thousands of Canadians lose millions of dollars to fraudsters every year. Let’s mark Fraud Prevention Month by learning how to recognize, reject and report fraud and by sharing this information with people around us. This simple gesture can go a very long way.”

Kata Rados,

Acting Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Competition Bureau

“We hear from many people who buy creams or other weight loss products online and are then charged for costly monthly subscriptions or never receive the products at all. However, consumers are often too embarrassed about being scammed to pursue the matter, which can leave them with no recourse.”

Elise Thériault

Lawyer, Budget and Legal Advisor, Option consommateurs

“The RCMP’s response to fraud is innovative and integrated. We work domestically with our municipal, provincial and federal partners, as well as internationally, to prevent, detect and deter financial crimes. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre – a partnership between the RCMP, Competition Bureau and Ontario Provincial Police – proactively identifies emerging scams, trends and threats operating in Canada. Together, we target criminals to disrupt their work and help track them down.”

Joanne Crampton

Assistant Commissioner, Federal Policing Criminal Operations, RCMP

“No one is immune to fraud. Fraudsters are extremely skilled at manipulating their victims. They use a variety of tricks to take advantage of people’s vulnerabilities and steal their personal information. Taking steps to prevent fraud is the best way to protect yourself. It’s essential that citizens adopt safe habits.“

Capitaine Alain Gaulin,

head of economic integrity investigations, Sûreté du Québec

Related Information

Associated Links