Telemarketing Fraud Prevention Initiative

• Abstract
• The Problem
• The Objective
• The Partners
• Actions/Results
• Assessment
• Lessons Learned
• Contact Person(s)

Abstract

As a result of a partnership between MTS Communications Inc. and Winnipeg RCMP CCS, an insert containing a message on preventing "Phone Fraud" was produced and placed in every telephone bill mailed by MTS during the month of January 2000. (see below for copy)

The Problem

Many Manitobans have been victims of phone scams. While it is believed that many efforts have been made over the past several years to increase public awareness and reduce financial losses in this area of crime, it has been difficult to reach the entire community and alert the public of these scams.

The Objective

The major objective was to find a cost efficient method of increasing public awareness and provide a telephone number to call for assistance.

The Partners

The RCMP Commercial Crime Section in Winnipeg and MTS Communication Inc. have contributed to this joint initiative.

Actions and Results

Sgt. Edwards, Winnipeg CCS undertook this fraud prevention initiative by partnering with the provincial telephone company MTS to produce an insert containing a message on preventing phone fraud and placing it in every telephone bill mailed by MTS. This involved almost 400,000 inserts which were received by virtually every family in Manitoba. This was a natural partnership in view of the fact that anyone with a telephone is a potential target of "Phone Fraud". Placing an information insert along with the telephone bill is an effective, cost efficient method of alerting the community on some of these scams and providing the public with a number of steps that may be taken to avoid becoming a victim. The insert entitled "Protecting Yourself Against Phone Scams" produced and funded by MTS Communications Inc. for enclosure in all MTS bills for January 2000 will reach almost every family in Manitoba making it the most widely distributed telephone fraud prevention initiative ever undertaken in the province.

Assessment

The benefits of this fraud prevention will be apparent for some time into the future.

Lessons Learned

Crime prevention cannot be done alone. For this reason we have to seek opportunities to partner with individuals, groups and corporations from within the community to help achieve our common goals.

Contact Person

Sgt. Rick Edwards
Commercial Crime Section,
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 983-7281

PROTECTING YOURSELF AGAINST PHONE SCAMS

Every year, MTS hears from Manitobans who have become victims of phone scams. The best way to make sure you don't become a victim is to know what to look for and when to be careful.

Here are two examples of common scams:

You receive a notice in the mail that you have won a valuable prize, and that you simply have to dial a 1-900 phone number to claim it. The catch: the 1-900 number is a long-distance call, and the prize you "win" is worth less than the call you'll have to pay for.

Telephone contest prizes:

You receive a call saying that you have won a valuable prize, but that you must pay for shipping, handling, taxes, insurance, or legal fees, or that you have to buy another product, in order to receive your prize. The catch: the fees you pay are higher than the value of the prize.

These are just two examples. But you can spot a scam by the one thing they all have in common: they seem too good to be true, because they are. If you're careful, you can avoid becoming a victim.

How to protect yourself:

1. Say "no thank you" and hang up if you feel uncomfortable with what a caller is telling you.
   
2. Take the time to think about what you're being offered, and discuss it with someone you trust.
3. Don't dial 1-900 numbers unless you're willing to pay the charges.
4. Don't reveal any personal information (like your social insurance, credit card or bank number) to a caller you don't know.
5. Don't send money to pay for a prize. If you really have won the prize, you shouldn't have to pay anything to receive it.
6. Make sure your friends, family and neighbours know about this type of crime, and know how to avoid becoming victims themselves.

For more information, or to report a scam, please contact Project Phonebusters at 1 888-495-8501, toll free, or visit their website at www.phonebusters.com. You can also call your local law enforcement agency.

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