Cross-border telemarketing schemes remains one of the most pervasive forms of white-collar crime in North America. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre (CAFCC), formerly known as PhoneBusters, estimates that on any given day, there are between 500 to 1,000 criminal telemarketing boiler rooms operating in Canada, grossing approximately $1 billion a year,.
The biggest trend in mass marketing fraud is the use of counterfeit or altered financial documents, such as cheques, bank drafts or money orders. In March and April 2007, nearly 30 per cent of all complaints received at the CAFCC involved the use of counterfeit financial documents.
Mass-marketing fraud is conducted over the telephone although there are many means of contacting potential victims, such as mail and the Internet. Everyone is vulnerable to mass-marketing fraud, but most often seniors are targeted .
Common types of mass-marketing fraud include advanced fee loans, employment job evaluations, and overpayment / counterfeit cheque scams, fraudulent prize and lottery schemes, fraudulent loan offers, secret shopper scams and fraudulent offers of low-interest credit cards or credit-card protection.
The most preventative way to avoid becoming a victim is to be informed. Be your own detective, research the company or individual and what they are offering before agreeing to anything. Call a relative or friend and discuss plans before you make any decisions that will put you in financial jeopardy.
For information on the types of schemes involved with mass-marketing visit the PhoneBusters website at www.phonebusters.com or the Ministry of Government Services at www.ontario.ca/consumerprotection .
Educate yourself to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud.
