Commissioner of competition

Under the provisions of the competition act and other laws, the Competition Bureau continues the businesses and individuals who adopt deceptive marketing practices, as well as the false data through telemarketing, fake lotteries or even scams by Internet or cell phone.

The Canadian edition of the booklet entitled the little black book of fraud aims to raise you awareness of the many types of fraud that are targeting the Canadian population and to inform you of some protection easy steps to take to avoid being victims of fraud.

Since its first publication in March 2012, the libretto known a great success from the outset, its printed and electronic form. In date of July 2013, the Office had distributed more than 14,000 copies printed, and the document had been downloaded more than 30 000 times. The electronic version, which is now more easily accessible, had been accessed more than 80 000 times.

This booklet allows to dispel common myths about scams, and contains useful advice, the questions to ask and many details to report suspected fraud to the competent authority.

I thank the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which developed the little black book of fraud originally authorized the Bureau to produce a Canadian edition.

John Pecman
Commissioner of competition

Myths to destroy to protect themselves

Here are a few common myths to destroy to avoid being defrauded.

• All companies, businesses and organizations are legitimate because they are licensed by the Government and are monitored by the latter. This is not always true. Even if there are rules to follow to start and operate a business in the Canada, it is easy for a fraudster to pretend to have the required permissions, whereas this is not the case. Some companies in good standing may still try to defraud you acting dishonestly.
• All websites are legitimate. This is not always true. It is relatively easy and inexpensive to create a Web site. Fraudsters are capable of reproducing without difficulty a legitimate Web site to fool you.
• It is possible to make a fortune quickly, but only a few people know how to go. This is not always true. Ask yourself the following question: If someone knew the secret of instant wealth, why would he want to share it with others?
• Fraudsters are concerned only with large sums of money. This is not always true. Sometimes fraudsters are many people and try to extract them small sums of money.
• Only money interest fraudsters. This is not always true. Some frauds are your personal information.

Golden rules to protect

Don't forget these golden rules to thwart fraudsters.

• If made you an offer for which you must pay money or provide personal information, or even hire you personally, always ask for impartial advice.
• There's no trick guaranteed to get rich quickly – sometimes, only scammers draw winners.
• Never accept an offer and never conclude a contract immediately. If you think a beautiful opportunity, take the time to seek objective advice before taking action and insist that given you this reflection period.
• Never give money or your personal information, and don't sign anything until you have done your homework and checked the history of the company to which you are dealing.
• Do not rely on the glowing testimonials: find concrete evidence of the success of a business.
• If you are interested in a website, access it directly instead of clicking on links provided in an email.
• Never send money or details about your credit card or your bank account to a person you do not know and in whom you do not have confidence.
• If you notice a fraud, or if you've been victim of fraud, ask for help. Contact the anti-fraud Centre Canada, the Competition Bureau or your local police service.

Fraudsters are manipulators who lack any imagination. They know what to say to get what they want.

Some tips to protect yourself

Protect your identity

• Don't give your personal information only when absolutely necessary, and only when you have confidence in the person to whom you are talking.
• Destroy your personal information: do not throw them in the trash. You can cut or shred your old invoices or statements of credit cards or banking.
• Treat your personal information as you treat your money: keep them safe from prying eyes.

Money matters

• Don't send never money to someone you do not know and that you do not have confidence.
• You should never send money or pay a fee to claim a prize or a lottery win.
• 'Employment' in which you are asked to use your bank account to transfer funds may be a ploy to launder money. Money laundering is a serious crime.
• Do not transfer a refund or an excess payment to someone you do not know.

The approach in person

• If someone comes to your door, ask identity documents. You don't have to let anyone into your home and this person must go if you ask him.
• Before paying anything, if you are interested in the product that sells a direct seller, take the time to inform you about the company it represents and its offer.
• Contact the Bureau of competition, your information office local or provincial consumer or business of your province or territory bureau if you have any questions about a direct seller who comes to your door. You will find their contact information to the heading "help and report fraud.

On the phone

• If you receive a call from someone you don't know, always ask for the name of that person and the company it represents. Check this information by calling yourself the company.
• Do not give your personal information and your details over the phone, unless it's you who call and the number is from a trusted source.
• It is more prudent to not respond to text messages from numbers that you don't recognize or not redial unknown. Beware especially of telephone numbers that begin with 1-900. You may have to pay a fee higher than those in force and the invoice may be salted.

Offers by e-mail

• Never reply to spam, even to unsubscribe. Often, these responses allow fraudsters to "verify" your address. The best way to proceed is to remove the questionable e-mails without opening them.
• Disable the "display pane", since merely consult the e-mail can send an message attesting to the validity of your email address to the sender.
• Legitimate financial institutions and banks will ask you never your bank account information in an email, or click on a link to access your account.
• Never call a telephone number that comes from a spam and do not trust the coordinates contained in it.

On the Internet

• Install software that protects your computer from viruses and other unwanted programs, and make sure it is up-to-date. If you have any questions, consult a professional.
• If you want to access a Web site, use a bookmark that will direct you to the site or enter the address of the site in the browser window. Never follow a link provided in an email.
• Carefully check the addresses of Web sites. Fraudsters often create fake websites whose address is similar to that of real sites.
• Beware of sites that offer you a free download (music, content reserved for adults, games and movies). By downloading this content, you could also install malware without your knowledge.
• Do not click on the ads that appear on your screen. You could install malicious software on your computer.
• Never enter your personal information, your bank or data related to your credit card on a Web site which you are unsure about the legitimacy.
• Never send your personal information, your banking information or relating to your credit card by e-mail.
• Avoid using public computers (in the libraries or Internet cafes) in order to make online purchases or banking transactions.
• When you use public computers, clear the history and cache of the computer when you are finished.
• Be careful when you use software that automatically fills in online forms. It could provide to the fraudsters access to your personal information and data relating to your credit card.
• Choose passwords that are difficult to guess, which include letters and numbers. You should also change them regularly.
• When you purchase an item online, print copies of all transactions and pay only through a secure site. If you attend the auction on Internet sites, note the identification numbers and read all instructions safety on the site.