The Face of Fraud--It's Not Who You Think

Believe it or not, there is no typical fraud victim in Canada, but research finds that fraud victims are likely to be educated, informed, relative affluent and involved in their communities.

Your risk of becoming a fraud victim  is not linked to your age, ethnicity, income or geographic location.  Scammers don't care about any of that --they just want your money.

Thousands of Canadians are defrauded each year.  Scam artists are up to date and well-organized.  they use the latest trends and sophisticated techniques:

• Professional marketing materials
• Well-crafted and resarched telephone scripts, which are traded among criminals
• Friendly tone and "generous" offers
• Believable answers for your tough questions
• Ability to impersonate legitimate businesses, charities and causes.
• Expertise to use your own emotions against you.

These are professional criminals.  They know what they're doing and, unfortunately for their victims they do it well.

You Can Protect Yourself

Identity theft is the fastest-growing type of fraud.  Proect your precious personal information.  Ask all marketing, research or charity callers for:

• Detailed, written information that you can check yourself
• Time to think about the offer. Scam artists pressure you for an answer, saying the offer will expire or go to the next person if  you don't act now.
• Valid references and the means to contact them
• A call-back number.  But beware--a crook can give you a number where a colleague is standing by to finish taking your money.

Shred unwanted personal documents such as transaction records, credit applications, insurance forms, cheques, financial statements.

Don't Fall for the Big Prize Scam
A caller says you have won a big lottery prize but you must send money before you can collect.  It's fraud and you will lose your money!  Hang up and call PhoneBusters.

Identity Theft Steals Your Good Name, Your Money...Even Your Self Respect
Never give out personal information over the phone or internet to any business that can't prove it's legitimate.  Crooks use this information to steal your money and commit crimes in your name.  Check your credit report every year.

I Sent Them the Processing Fee But My Credit Card Never Arrived
A caller offers you a low interest credit card but you must send money before your card can be activated.  It's fraud and you will lose your money!  Hang up and call PhoneBusters.

Students, new Canadians and people who have experienced credit problems are often trageted by fraud artists who offer them 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.

Deceptive Telemarketers Calling You?
The right information can help you avoid falling for fraud.  When a caller asks you to send money in order to claim a big prize, it's fraud!  You'll lose your money.  Never give out personal information on the phone to any business callers who can't prove they're legitimate.  You could lose your identity and your money.

PHONEBUSTERS - 1-888-495-8501
www.phonebusters.com