Fight fraud this March! The Competition Bureau launches the annual Fraud Prevention Month campaign

The campaign aims to help Canadians stand up to scammers who are costing them millions of dollars every year

GATINEAU, QC, March 2, 2020 /CNW/ - During the month of March, the Competition Bureau and its nation-wide partners will help Canadians recognize, reject and report fraud.

In 2019 alone, recent statistics from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, show that Canadians lost over $98 million to fraud. Scammers can target anyone. Every demographic is at risk of fraud, from young teens to the elderly, from consumers to big corporations. As the digital economy plays an increasingly important role in the lives of Canadians, it is also making for more cutting edge scams. Fraud awareness remains vital so that Canadians can navigate the digital world with confidence.

For the sixteenth edition of this nationwide awareness campaign, the Competition Bureau will share tips on how to spot and stand protected against widespread scams impacting Canadians. In keeping with its focus on the digital economy, the Bureau will also tackle digitally-enabled fraud. Campaign efforts will be set out on social media and at community events in Canada.

The Bureau is also working with key partners, like the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, the RCMP, and other police services across Canada, to encourage victims of fraud to file reports. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre estimates that Canadians have only reported approximately 5% of fraud cases to the authorities. This means that the actual impact of fraud is probably even more important than figures suggest.

Quick Facts

• The Competition Bureau initiated the Fraud Prevention Month campaign in 2004, with the support of the Fraud Prevention Forum.
• The Fraud Prevention Forum is chaired by the Competition Bureau, and currently consists of a group of 60 Canadian organizations, ranging from consumer and volunteer groups, government agencies, police services and enforcement organizations to private companies.
• The easiest way for Canadians to learn how to "Recognize, Reject and Report" the latest scams is to follow the Competition Bureau on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as well as by following this year's campaign hashtag: #FPM2020.

Quote

"The digital economy is changing the way Canadians work, live and interact. Being connected also means that our exposure to fraud has grown exponentially. No one is immune to fraud, so everyone should learn to protect themselves, and know that reporting can help prevent more harm."

Josephine Palumbo, Deputy Commissioner of the Deceptive Marketing Practices Directorate, Competition Bureau of Canada

Related Products

• The Little Black Book of Scams

Associated Links

• Fraud prevention online portal
• List of Fraud Prevention Forum partners
• The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
• Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation
• Cyber Safe Guide for Small and Medium Business

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The Competition Bureau, as an independent law enforcement agency, ensures that Canadian businesses and consumers prosper in a competitive and innovative marketplace.

SOURCE Competition Bureau