FRAUD: RECOGNIZE IT, REPORT IT, STOP IT: TIPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF

(NC) - Mass marketing fraud and identity theft costs the Canadian economy billions of dollars each year. All Canadians are at risk of being victimized, no matter what their age, education or income. New scams are being invented daily. Law enforcement agencies cannot investigate, press charges and prosecute these criminals unless Canadians report these crimes.

March is Fraud Prevention Month in Canada and around the world. This year in Canada, anti-fraud groups such as the Fraud Prevention Forum are working together to raise awareness of the dangers of fraud, while educating the public on how to "Recognize it. Report it. And Stop it." The forum, which is chaired by the federal government's Competition Bureau, is a concerned group of private sector firms, consumer and volunteer groups and government and law enforcement agencies committed to fighting fraud aimed at consumers and businesses.

Here are some tips on how you can protect yourself from identity fraud and scamsters throughout the year:

• Check your credit report every year and report problems immediately.
• Don't disclose information about your finances, bank accounts, credit cards, expiry dates, or driver's license to any business that can't prove it's legitimate
• Don't purchase a product or service without carefully checking out the product, service and company.
• Don't be afraid to ask for further documentation from the caller so you can verify the validity of the company.
• Don't be fooled by the promise of a valuable prize in return for a low-cost purchase.
• Don't be afraid to hang up the phone, delete the email or close your Internet connection.
• Shred unwanted bank statements, credit card bills, unwanted receipts, cheques, and pre-approved credit applications.
• Request written, detailed information, including references, from companies to research any offer.
• Be extra cautious about calls, e-mails or mailings offering international bonds or lottery tickets, a portion of a foreign dignitary's bank account, free vacations, credit repair or schemes with unlimited income potential.

To report an incidence of fraud call PhoneBusters, the Canadian Anti-fraud Call Centre, at 1-888-495-8501. To learn more about ways you can protect yourself visit the Competition Bureau's Web site at www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/fraud. - (NC)

Sourcet: www.newscanada.com