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Frauds and Scams

Follow these safety tips to reduce your risk of becoming a victim:

Home Repair/Service Call Fraud

• Ask for and check identification of anyone coming to your door
• If you are unsure, do not let the person in
• Call the company to ensure they have representatives in your community
• Check references
• Always get a second quote or estimate
• Be wary of any company asking for money up front
• Talk to a friend or family member or have them with you when you are arranging services
• Do not rush your decision. Do your research
• Never leave anyone alone in your home

Financial Fraud

• Remember that banks do not cold call or email customers to verify financial information
• Never give out any banking or financial information over the phone or Internet – especially passwords or PINs (Personal Identification Number)
• If an offer sounds too good to be true, then it probably is
• Always ask for receipts
• Do not open any email or attachments from people you do not know
• Ensure your computer has an updated virus-protection program
• Internet users can check for email scams by going to http://www.snopes.com or other search engines
• Be cautious. You have the right to check out the investment or buyer by requesting written information, seeking references, asking questions, weighing the answers and taking time to think over the offer

Telephone Fraud

• Cold calls offering free vacations, lottery tickets or demanding donations over the telephone should be treated with extreme caution
• Always verify the charity/company is legitimate
• Do not give personal or financial information
• Never give personal information over the telephone or the Internet

ATM Fraud

• Be aware of your surroundings when entering your PIN and do not disclose your PIN to ANYONE
• Cover the key pad when you enter your PIN
• Be mindful of people trying to distract you
• Immediately report lost or stolen credit/debit cards and any discrepancies in your monthly statements to the issuing card company
• If you discover anything at a banking machine that looks suspicious (a card skimmer, for example), notify your bank immediately or contact the police for assistance

Advance Fee for Loan Fraud

• A newspaper ad or telephone call about “easy credit” or an “easy loan” is a red flag
• If you are asked to pay a fee in advance of receiving the funds, it is a scam
• It is illegal in Ontario to ask for an advance fee for a loan
• Report it to police and the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services

Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud

• Prevention remains the best protection against fraud or identity theft. 
• Immediately report lost of stolen credit cards
• Check monthly statements carefully and report any discrepancies to the issuing credit card company
• Never loan your credit cards to anyone and sign all credit cards when you receive them
• Cancel credit cards you do not use and keep a list of the ones you use regularly
• Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery and do not leave pieces of mail lying around your residence or work place
• Shred bank statements and all paperwork you no longer need
• Never give out your passwords or Personal Identification Number

Tips for Merchants
Are you a business owner that takes orders paid for with a credit card? Download these tips on how to minimize credit card fraud.

For more information on current scams and frauds, please click here to download the Little Black Book of Scams from the Competition Bureau of Canada.