The Better Business Bureau - Newfoundland & Labrador

BBBTipsŽ

General Tips To Avoid Being Scammed
Work at Home Offers
Pyramid Scheme or MLM?
809 Area Code Phone Scam
Vacation Certificates

Making a Move
Prize Offers

Foreign Lottery
Charities
Nigerian Letter
Refunds, Exchanges or Credit

Phony Invoice Scam

Unexpected long-distance charges for Internet use

Beware of Phishing

Credit Card Fraud

Postal Forwarding

Domain Renewals

Signing a Contract

Software offers

Charity Appeals ... After a Disaster

Hiring a Contractor
Cashier Cheque Scam
9 - 0 - # Telephone Scam

Employment Recruitment Scams
Payment Forwarding / Overpayment scams
Get More Money Now
Advanced Fee Loan Scam

Slamming, Long-distance telephone service

Sample letter of complaint
Sample cancellation letter - door to door sale
Sample cancellation letter - travel

Tips on Spotting a Scam

You should be suspicious if:

A company has a name that is intended to sound like a government agency or well-known company. You must act on the offer the same day.
A telemarketer acts as if he or she had done business with you before.
A caller asks for your bank account or credit card number as identification.
A caller asks for your bank account or credit card number so you can purchase product or qualify for prizes.
A telemarketer asks for your Social Insurance Number so you can purchase goods or qualify for prizes.
The company is unwilling to send written information on the offer or to give you references.
Individuals who linger nearby while you are making a call from a public phone.
Someone who claims you have won a prize but you haven’t entered a contest.
You must pay a fee before you receive complimentary goods or services. Read written material carefully, watch out for the use of misleading words, such as: almost, nearly, almost always, etc.

Work at Home Offers

The BBB receives numerous calls each day on envelope stuffing. These ads, usually found in the career section, indicate that you can earn up to $5000.00 weekly by stuffing envelopes in your own home. Typically there is a request for $39.95 in start up costs. Instead of getting the promised material for stuffing you actually receive information on how to place the same advertisement in newspapers further perpetuating the problem. Its important to note that any monies received in this manner are obtained illegally.

Envelope stuffing is the number one work-at-home scam in Canada. If it sounds too good to be true ---- it usually is. You should never send money in advance for a job opportunity. The BBB knows of no work-at-home opportunity that ever produces the income that the ad specified.

Recognize the warning signs! If you do your homework, you stand a much better chance at spotting a questionable or fraudulent work-at-home opportunity. Keep a lookout for the following red flags:

advertisements that include exaggerated claims about the amount of money you can earn;
requirements for you to invest money up front;
claims that "no experience" is necessary; and
difficulties contacting the company behind the opportunity.

Be vigilant! Do your homework before working from home. Take the following precautions to be sure that what you're getting into won't cost you more than you bargained for:

contact the company to find out all the details about the job's requirements;
check whether your earnings will be based on salary or commission;
ask the company who will pay you;
determine all costs involved, such as supplies, marketing, long-distance bills, membership fees, etc.; and
search the Internet and contact various agencies such as the Better Business Bureau or PhoneBusters for background information about the company.

Pyramid Scheme or Multi Level Marketing?

Are you wondering if an offer is a pyramid Scheme or a MLM? Ask the following six questions...

1. Do you have a real product or service?

The product must be the reason for the plan. The plan must exist to sell the product, not be merely incidental to the plan.

2. Are there earnings claims that are not typical of participants in the plan?

Any earnings claims at all must state what a typical member earns. While a plan may promote its top sellers, it must also give people the full story. For example X percent of people made Y dollars.

3. Are participants expecting to make money by recruiting others to the plan?

A plan should not charge to join, or pay recruitment bonuses.

4. Does the plan force people to buy a product/service in order to join?

The purchase of a starter kit does not count as a fee to join if its a real starter kit, necessary to start your business and is sold at cost to facilitate sales. But buying the product or service cannot be a requirement of the plan.

5. Does the plan ask or allow for people to buy unreasonable amounts of inventory they cant sell?

Distributors should have popular items in sufficient stock so they can fill orders right away, but not be expected to carry unreasonable inventory levels.

6. Does the plan have a fair product buy-back policy or a right to return the product on reasonable terms?

Plans should agree to buy back any unsold product at fair terms, considering product, time period, and the percentage of money returned. In short, the buy-back or return policy should be equal to or better than the standard for the industry. For example... unopened product in saleable condition can be returned within 90 days for a 90% refund.

If you are approached to join such a club, the BBB advises you to ask yourself these questions:

Do I have to make an investment or give money to get the right to recruit others into the program?
When I recruit another person into the program, will I receive what the law calls consideration (that usually means money) as a result?
Will the person I recruit have to make an investment or give money to get the right to recruit and receive consideration for getting other people to join?
If the answers are yes, steer clear of the scheme. Never buckle under to high-press sales pitches, even when they come from the mouth of a trusted friend, co-worker, neighbor or church member!

809 Area Code Scam

HERE'S what typically happens...

You will receive a voice message or email asking you to call a number beginning with area code 809. The reason you're asked to call varies, but it is always compelling; information about a sick family member, or to let you know you have won a wonderful prize, etc. The point is to create an urgency so that you act without thinking.

When victimized by this scam the intent is to keep you on the line as long as possible while the cost increases by the minute. The scammers phone foreign company bills you via your telephone company. Telephone companies operating outside of Canada (foreign) are not subject to Canadian Radio & Telecommunications (CRTC) regulations
and therefore you are left with very little recourse.

While this scam does happen, it is important to note that not every number with an 809 area code is related to the scam. In addition to 809, other area codes have been used in this scam, they include 876 and 284. Neither is this a common scam, few people in North America will ever encounter it, and reports of exorbitant charges have been very much exaggerated.

Vacation Certificates

If you receive by mail, fax or via E-mail an offer from a company to travel to an exotic location at a reduce rate, or believe you may have won a free trip, here are some tips to help;

Never release your credit card number over the telephone to a company that you have never heard of, or if you are unsure what has been offered to you;
Ask questions, such as, are there other charges that I will have to pay once I reach the destination? (Tax on hotel room per person per night, additional port charges, meals, transportation or any other hidden expense.)
Will I have to participate in a time sharing seminar?
Is the price quoted to you in US funds?
Do not fall for high pressure tactics, if the company is legitimate they will not mind you checking them out.
Compare the total cost of this offer with other travel companies;
If it sounds too good to be true --- it usually is.

Making a Move

When choosing a moving company, the BBB offers the following tips;

Use a company that has been established for a considerable period of time with a permanent physical address.
Ask for references, and check them.
Check for licensing with provincial and municipal governments.
Obtain at least 3 written estimates, complete with a list/description of the items to be moved.
Make sure that you get any promises of pick up and delivery dates in writing, and never sign any contract with sections left blank.
For a long distance move be sure to make a complete inventory list of the goods to be moved. Supervise the loading and unloading of the goods, or arrange to have someone do it for you.
Inform the movers of any obstacles such as stairs, which may affect loading time. This should avoid your estimate changing due to knew information,
Ask about the claims process so that you know what to do should there be a problem. If damage or loss occurs, have the driver make a special note on the inventory and/or delivery receipt, then promptly notify the company in writing, keeping a copy for your files.
Make sure you understand how much insurance the carrier has, whether its replacement or depreciated value and what is covered. You may wish to purchase extra insurance to protect your goods. Your home insurance may cover all or part of the move. If the mover provides insurance, know exactly what kind, and how much liability coverage they provide for property loss or damage.
A mover should provide you with a Bill of Lading complete with the terms and condition of the move (often on the reverse side). Read and understand the Conditions of Carriage, as these terms identify who is responsible for what regarding every aspect of the move.
Check with your local BBB for a Reliability Report on the company.

This is a quick list of things to consider when moving. For a more complete checklist please contact the BBB by dialling (709) 364-2222, 1-866-663-2363 or email us at info@bbbnl.org.

Prize Offers

You received "official notification" that you are the winner of a fabulous prize, or large sum of cash. To claim your windfall a fee is required to cover "registration and handling costs". A prize is not something you should have to pay for. The BBB recommends you not respond to such offers, you merely invite more of the same.

Foreign Lottery

These letters often refer to a potential mix up in prize claims, thus the need for confidentiality. To claim your prize, which is typically in the millions of dollars, the letter requests you simply supply some personal details such as your date of birth, Social Insurance Number (SIN), credit cards and banking information. Some will even request you forward a copy of your drivers license or passport. NEVER send personal documents or information to an unfamiliar individual organization. Doing so leaves you open to Identity Theft.
Other times you may be ask to pay an administration fee in order to claim you prize. Remember you should never under any circumstances have to pay to claim a prize, and if you are asked to so you are being scammed.

Participating in a Foreign Lottery can actually leave you in violation of Section 206 of the Criminal Code of Canada.

Charitable Donations

Faced with rising costs and shrinking budgets charities and not-for-profits are increasingly turning to fundraising efforts to keep up with the ever increasing demand for service.

The BBB offers the following tips when considering to which charity you will give.

Do not give cash; always make contributions by cheque payable to the charity, not to the individual collecting the donation.
Keep records of your donations (receipts, canceled cheques, and bank statements) so you can document your charitable giving at tax time.
Don't be fooled by names that look impressive or that closely resemble the name of a well-known organization.
Ask for the charity's full name, address and telephone number. Demand identification from the solicitor.
Ask if your contribution is tax deductible.
Ask for the charitable registration number and verify it with Revenue Canada 1-800-267-2384, or search online by visiting Revenue Canadas website www.cra-arc.gc.ca.
Don't succumb to pressure; the charity that needs your money today will welcome it just as much tomorrow.
Watch out for statements such as "all proceeds will go to the charity." This can mean that the money left after expenses, will go to the charity, which can make a big difference, so check carefully.
How much of your donation will go to the cause and how much will go to administrative costs? You can request a copy of the company's audited financial statements.
Is your donation staying in your region?
Is the individual contacting you a volunteer or otherwise?
When you're asked to buy candy, magazines, card, or tickets to a dinner or show to benefit a charity, be sure to ask what the charity's share will be.

Call your local BBB if a fund raiser uses pressure tactics such as intimidation, threats, or repeated and harassing calls or visits. Such tactics violate the Council of BBB's recommended Standards for Charitable Solicitations.

Remember that you can always contact the charity's office directly to make a donation.

Nigerian Letter!

Whether you receive an email, facsimile or letter businesses and individuals are still promised a large payoff in return for assistance in transferring millions of dollars from Nigeria to the U.S. and Canada. The victim is usually offered 20% or more of the transferred money. Its best not to respond to these E-letters from Nigeria in any way. The real goal of the correspondence is to gain your bank account information with he intent of removing funds rather than making a deposit.

The BBB recommends you forward any Nigerian letters to us by email or fax to (709) 364-2255.

We forward all such correspondence on to Phonebusters, a national taskforce, for further investigation. There is power in numbers, the more emails etc passed on to Phonebusters the greater the chances of shutting down the scam artists.

Refunds, Exchanges or Credit

Never assume that merchandise can be returned for a full refund. While laws protect consumers from misrepresented or defective goods, no law requires merchants to offer refunds, exchanges or credit on sold merchandise.

These voluntary practices have become widespread among retailers wishing to make shopping in their stores as attractive as possible to customers. However, the BBB warns consumers never to assume that merchants offer refunds, exchanges or credit notes as a part of their return policy. It is also important to remember that it is not the stores' responsibility to volunteer this information.

Since refund and exchange privileges vary from store to store, customers should take steps to ensure they understand each stores policy before making a purchase.

The BBB emphasizes that consumers should not confuse return and exchange policies with product warranties. Products often come with a stated or implied warranty from their manufacturers. It is important to read the warranty before retuning a defective product to the retailer. Some merchants will return the product to the manufacturer as a customer service but this is not always the case.

Before making a purchase, consider the following:

What is the store’s policy covering returns?
Can you exchange the item for another like it?
Will the store give you your money back? And if so, under what terms?
Is this a final sale, which means sold 'as is'?
If the purchase is made under written contract, how are the normal return privileges affected?
If the product has a separate written warranty, does this warranty affect the means by which you are returning it?

Under the Direct Sellers Act in this province consumers do have 10 days to cancel a purchase from a door to door salesperson, however it important to note that you must give notice in writing, and be sure to keep a copy for your own files.

Phony Invoice Scams

Business owners are often the targets of phony invoice scams. The Better Business Bureau hears from local businesses on a regular basis that appear to be the victim of just such a scam.

Typically, there is a call to "verify" contact information, and soon after an invoice and/or unordered goods are received. Some of the scammers are so sophisticated they have a recording of your conversation with them that makes it appear as though you did indeed place an order. If your business receives a suspicious invoice contact the BBB for helpful information.

To help protect against falling victim it is recommended that businesses:

Alert their accounting department or bill-payers to be on the lookout for disguised solicitations and to carefully review invoices from companies and organizations with which they do not normally do business.

Establish effective internal controls for the payment of invoices.

Verify all invoices with the person who gave written or verbal authorization.

Reply to unsolicited invoices by advising in writing that: the invoice will not be processed and any goods shipped unsolicited will be held for a specified period for pickup at the senders expense.

The fact that con artists mail thousands of phony invoices, and solicitations disguised as invoices, on a regular basis, points to an annual loss to businesses that may run into billions of dollars. Always check any unknown company or unfamiliar invoice with the Better Business Bureau before making a purchase or payment.

Unexpected long-distance charges for
Internet use

"Modem hijacking appears to be on the rise, judging from complaints received by Better Business Bureaus and telephone service providers in the past year. Victims discover that their computers have become programmed to make international telephone calls, without their knowledge.

How does this happen? Typically, the hijacking occurs when a customer with dial-up access to the Internet clicks I Accept or Yes on certain pop-up ads that offer free Internet content. According to the CRTC and the FTC, these scams are typically associated with adult sites. The sites claim to be free or advertise no credit card is needed, then prompt the user to download a viewer or dialer program.

Once the program is downloaded the software reconfigures the customers modem to dial international calls. The consumer may not realize it if he or she did not carefully read all the fine print of the terms before clicking the accept button. Calls are then dialed automatically and at random times, without the customers knowledge, and are carried by the customers long distance carrier to international destinations.

Modem hijacking can also affect broadband customers who have a dial-up telephone line to send faxes, for example -- connected to their computer. There have been reported instances where a consumer triggered the download by simply attempting to close the pop-up ad.

Victims typically become aware of the hijacking when the charges show up on their long distance bills. Unless the customer has selected an international discount calling plan, these calls are billed at higher basic international rates, so the dollar amounts involved can total hundreds of dollars.

The BBB offers the following advice on avoiding unexpected charges:

Consider a dedicated phone line for your computer, restrict it to local calls (check with your local telephone company for details and costs associated with this), and disconnect the line to your modem when it is not in use.
Ensure your modem makes an audible noise when dialing a phone number, so you can be aware when a new connection is being made.
If you see a dialog box on your computer indicating that it is dialing when you did not direct it to, cancel the connection and hang up.
Beware of the dangers of downloading viewer or dialer software. Read online disclosures carefully, clicking through to every level of detail. Do not click on OK unless you know exactly what you are agreeing to.
Consider installing a program on your computer to block pop-up ads and identify and remove the types of programs that may be associated with modem-hijacking scams.
If children are using the family computer to surf the Internet be sure to supervise their activities.
Keep your password private.
Make sure you are aware of all programs installed on your computer.

What to do if you are billed for unexpected charges:

Check your web browser history folder to view a list of all sites accessed from your computer.
As a precaution, you may want to extend the time a site is kept in your browser's history file from 20 days to 45 days so that the folder is available when you get your phone bill.
Check your browser's Help folder for instructions

Who to contact for help?

First, contact your telephone service provider to investigate your concerns.
If you are not satisfied with the way your complaint is handled, contact the CRTC toll-free at 1-877-249-2782.

Beware of Phishing

"Phishing" is a term coined by computer hackers, who use email to fish the Internet hoping to hook you into giving them your logins, passwords and/or credit card information. In all these scams, the phisher first impersonates a legitimate company such as your own internet service provider, or your auction site or a financial institution. In the typical scam, you'll get an email that appears to be from a reputable company. You'll be asked to go to a special site to update your account information.

Phishing If you get one of these messages, don't panic - and don't respond. Remember our advice: Don't give your personal information to anyone you don't know. If you are concerned that the message might be genuine, call your ISP (or bank or other organization being spoofed) at a telephone number you obtain from your billing statement or through an email address the legitimate company provides.

I think Ive been "phished"; what do I do?
If you suspect that your personal information has been "phished" by an unknown source, you should assume that you either are or soon will be the victim of an identity thief, and you should take immediate self defense measures. Heres some steps we recommend you take right away:

If you were lured by a "spoof" of a genuine company or organization, get in touch with the real company immediately. They may be able to help you minimize the damage. For example, if you thought you were updating your credit card information with an online store, and you discovered it wasnt your online store, call or email the real store at once.

If you provided your credit card information as part of the "phishing" scheme, contact the customer service department of the bank that issued your credit card and ask to speak to someone in risk management or loss prevention.

For additional steps you can take, click on the ID Theft logo on our home page.

Credit Card Fraud

Whether you receive a telephone call or an email be cautious of anyone asking for personal and/or confidential information. If you are contacted by someone identifying him/herself as a representative of the Security & Fraud Department with a major credit card company, (some even give you a Badge Number), know that this could be a scam. Here's the scenario; you are told that your file has been 'flagged' due to an unusual purchase pattern and that your information needs to be 'verified'. Some ask about recent purchases, indicating "a credit will be issued for an unauthorized transaction", and that a fraud investigation will follow.

Next there is a request for the 3 'security numbers' on the back of your card, "to verify the card is in your possession". This is the information the scammers are after, with this info they are able to make purchases using your account.

A credit card carrier will never ask you to for the numbers on the card - they issued you the card and know the numbers. Should you receive a suspicious call or email contact your credit card company immediately using the toll free number on your card, or the number listed in your local directory.

Keep these security tips in mind ...

Report lost or stolen cards immediately.
Sign your card on the signature panel as soon as you receive it.
Protect your cards as if they were cash never let them out of your sight.
Don't leave your credit cards in your car's glove compartment. An alarmingly high proportion of all credit card thefts are from car glove compartments.
Ensure that you get your card back after every purchase.
Always check sales vouchers for the correct purchase amount before you sign them.
Keep copies of your transaction receipts and always compare to your billing statement to verify the amounts of your purchases, checking for any unauthorized purchases.
Make a comprehensive list of all your cards and account numbers, storing it in a safe place.
Don't volunteer any personal information when you use your credit card.
Don't lend your card to anybody.
When telemarketers call record the name, address, and phone number of the soliciting organization, and obtain names of other customers who can supply references.
Ask questions. The fewer questions a telemarketer can answer, the less likely that it is a legitimate business.
Notify Canada Post immediately if you change your address.

Postal Forwarding or Reshipping Fraud

Fraudulent ads on online job sites are not new. Con artists are seizing the willing, and often, vulnerable populations that frequent job sites to mine for fresh victims. Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise are being moved out of the country by residents who fall for fake "postal forwarding" jobs.

By answering an online classified ad to work as a finance or correspondence manager, you may actually end participating in illegal activity by accepting cheques and other payments and transferring funds overseas this is just the latest incarnation of the scam.

The BBB suggests you keep the following information in mind when job hunting online

DO NOT provide any non-work related personal information (e.g. SIN, eye color, marital status etc.) over the phone or online.
DO NOT give personal banking information, or credit card account numbers to an unknown person or company, or new employer.
DO NOT agree to have funds or pay cheques direct deposited to any of your accounts by a new employer.
DO NOT forward, transfer, or "wire" money for a third party.
DO NOT agree to transfer money, retaining a portion for payment.

It's time to renew the Domain name for your website...

Do you know who your Registrar is?

For years, phony invoices from hucksters billing for yellow page directory ads, office supplies, phone services and other products have plagued small business owners. Now, the Internet is providing scam artists with a new opportunity to solicit business in a deceitful manner -- through domain registration notices. Recently a Toronto man who targeted over 73,000 business and non-profit organizations across Canada with a deceptive mail out for the renewal of their Internet domain names was sentenced to a $40,000 fine and a five-year prohibition order. The sentence results from an investigation by the Competition Bureau.

Domain name scammers are misleading consumers, organizations and businesses in one of two ways. Some report having received official-looking renewal notices, supposedly from their domain registrars. The documents are actually solicitations for business that are disguised as invoices.

The letters, some of which are designed to resemble official government notices, inform recipients that their website domain name registrations are about to expire and that they risk losing their Internet domain names if they do not send in immediate payment. These mailings are carefully designed and worded so that they appear to be renewal invoices, without violating Canada Post regulations concerning solicitations.

Many of the victims that do not bother to check their records often pay the "invoice" unwittingly. The money does not typically reach any legitimate domain registrar. Victims are surprised to discover this fact when it eventually receives renewal notices from real domain registration companies.

A second type of domain scam advises that another company is trying to register "an alternative version of your domain name." This particular message offers the chance to register the domain name at a high price in order to "prevent the other person from taking your domain name." The communication urges the recipient to act quickly in order to prevent a competitor from taking its domain name.

If you fear that you have already paid a phony domain renewal or domain registration invoice, file a complaint with the BBB and if received by mail report the matter to Canada Post. You might also want to contact your bank or credit card company regarding your options of having payment stopped or reversed if the transaction was a recent one. In the future, to avoid paying for a service you do not want, from a company you did not choose to deal with, the BBB advises business owners and managers as follows:

Educate bookkeepers, accounting staff, and web site managers to beware of "domain registration" solicitations designed as invoices;
Only accept domain renewal notices from the company with whom you have registered your domain name;
To check when you need to renew your domain name, contact your existing domain registrar;
If you doubt the legitimacy of any invoice, check your records to confirm claims of previous business dealings with the company or seller; and
Establish effective internal controls for the payment of invoices.
If you decide to move to another domain name registrar, obtain as much information as possible about the company (their name, physical location, web site address) and check with the BBB for a reliability report. Also, you will need to contact your current domain name registrar to obtain your authorization code to pass on to the new registration company. It is standard policy for legitimate registrars to provide this information free of charge.

Signing A Contract? Here are some things to consider ...

A contract is a legally binding, written agreement signed by two or more parties, which spells out their obligations to each other. Whether it is formal and official looking or hand written on a plain sheet of paper, once it is in force it generally cannot be changed or broken without agreement by both parties. Therefore, before you sign a contract, be sure you really need, want and can afford the product or service for which you are signing and be sure you understand every word it contains. If you do not, get a lawyer to explain it to you. Regardless of what the contract is for, follow these rules:

Make sure you get a copy.
Deal with only reputable individuals or companies. If you have any doubts, do not sign. Find out if there are any provisions for cancelling the contract, and what the provisions are.
Be sure you understand exactly what the seller is to do for you. If anything in terms of guaranteeing the product or service appears know that the term guaranteed when used alone means little or nothing.
Be sure the terms and conditions are spelled out clearly.
Be sure that all promises made by the seller are written into the contract in addition to all the terms and conditions of the sale. These should include the price, type and model number of every item, the quality and condition of the materials to be used, service obligations and the time of delivery or completion, if applicable.
Be sure that all goods, services, or obligations which you do not want to sign for are stricken from all copies of the contract and initialled by both parties.
Be sure all blank spaces are filled in.
Be prepared to live up to all provisions in the contract, regardless of what the salesperson says.
Finally, never let yourself be pressured into signing. Take your time. Above all make sure to deal only with reputable businesses. If you have not already done so, be sure to check with the Better Business Bureau for a Reliability Report.

Cheap software, is this email for real?

Spam is defined as unsolicited email that is sent to large numbers of people. Beware of such advertisements and Internet mail-order sites selling software at bargain prices. Users who order from these sites report that they do not receive legitimate software and, in some instances, find unapproved charges on their credit card statements. The spam emails, often from Eastern Europe, typically contain links to authentic-looking Web sites offering OEM or back-up software. Common names for these sites include: CD Cheap, Cheap Soft and OEM4 Sale.

Here are some guidelines to help businesses and consumers buy software safely and legally via the Internet.

Dont Reply! If you suspect an email is spam, dont reply. Your address may be distributed to other spammers as a result, increasing the volume of spam you receive. Indicators that an email is spam include typos, misspellings and prices that are too good to be true.
Dont Post. Avoid posting your email address on public sites spammers search public sites for email addresses.
Check Out the Dealer. Review the software publishers Web site. If the reseller isnt listed on the manufacturers Web site as a recognized dealer, proceed with caution.
Trust Your Instincts. If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Beware of Back-ups. Take special care to avoid sellers offering back-up copies. This is a clear indication that the software is illegal.
Steer Clear of Compilations. Be wary of compilations of software titles from different publishers on a single disk or CD.
Do Your Homework. Look for a feedback section on the site and look for comments about the seller based on previous transactions. Look for a trust mark from a reputable organization, like BBBOnLine, that signifies the merchant has agreed to a code of business practices. If in doubt, conduct Web searches about the site in order to determine its legitimacy and check with the BBB (www.bbb.org or www.bbbnl.org).
Get the Sellers Address. Remember that if you cannot re-contact the seller, you may have no recourse if the product turns out to be pirated. If you cant find the sellers physical address, be suspicious. That may be a ploy to hinder law enforcement actions.
Keep Receipts. Print out a copy of your order number and sales confirmation and keep them at least until your software arrives in satisfactory condition.
Report Piracy. Buyers suspecting software piracy, counterfeit software and/or fraud should contact law enforcement agencies.

Charity Appeals ... After a Disaster

It is regular as clockwork. Within days of any natural or man-made disaster, the Better Business Bureau knows that some people will attempt to take advantage of Canadians' eagerness to assist victims of the tragedy.

The Better Business Bureau encourages the public to contribute to helpful causes that will assist the families and victims of any catastrophe. Donors should make certain, however, that the charity is properly registered with appropriate state government agencies, that it describes exactly what it will do to address the needs of victims, and that it is willing to provide written information about its finances and programs.

In addition to checking with the Better Business Bureau, donors should consider the following tips when giving in the wake of a tragedy or disaster:

Be wary of appeals that are long on emotion, but short on describing what the charity will do to address the needs of victims and their families.

If you contribute, do not give cash. Make a cheque or money order out to the name of the charitable organization, not to the individual collecting the donation.

If you decide to contribute online, find out more about the charity before making a contribution and be aware of red flags. For example, some charities imitate the name and style of a well-known organization in order to confuse people. Also, when clicking on the link to "donate", look at the organization's URL in the browser window. Exercise caution if the domain name is hidden, is not familiar to you, or is not the same as the one stated in the text of the link.

Watch out for excessive pressure for on-the-spot donations. Be wary of any request to send a "runner" to pick up your contribution.

Do not give your credit card number or other personal information to a telephone solicitor or in response to an email solicitation. Ask the caller or sender to provide you with written information on the charity's programs and finances.

Do not hesitate to ask for written information that describes the charity's program(s) and finances such as the charity's latest annual report and financial statements. Even newly created organizations should have some basic information available.

Be wary of charities that are reluctant to answer reasonable questions about their operations, finances and programs. Ask how much of your gift will be used for the activity mentioned in the appeal and how much will go toward other programs and administrative and fund raising costs.

See if the charity's appeal explains what the charity intends to do with any excess contributions remaining after they have fully funded the disaster relief activities mentioned in solicitations.

Donors can obtain further advice on giving and access reports on national charities by visiting www.give.org, the website of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, the national charity watchdog affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system. The national charity reports produced by the Alliance reports specify if the charity meets the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability which addresses various charity governance, finances, fund raising and solicitations issues. Reports on local charities are available through your local BBB office. If a donor believes they may have been victimized by a questionable national charitable appeal, he/she can file a complaint with the BBB Wise Giving Alliance or contact the local BBB for assistance with complaints about local charities.

Call Revenue Canada at 1-800-267-2384 to check if the charity is registered, or search online.

Hiring a Contractor

It is extremely important to compare costs before making a financial commitment toward any project, whether it be work or home related. You should solicit a minimum of two to three bids from prospective contractors. Also ensure you are comparing apples to apples, in other words make certain of your specifications and have contractors submit bids using those building specifications, materials, labor, and the timelines surrounding the project.

Discuss bids in detail with each contractor, making certain you understand the reasons for any variations in the prices. Do not automatically choose the lowest price. One contractor's bid might be higher because the materials to be used are of a better quality or because the work will be especially thorough and, therefore, require more time and labor.

Ask the contractor for local references and find out if these customers were satisfied with the contractor's work. If possible, visit and inspect their completed projects.

Find out if the contractor is a member of a professional association which has standards or a code of ethics.

Contact your local Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn how long a contractor has been in business and if the firm has been responsive to any complaints filed with the BBB.

Another important matter to consider before hiring a contractor deals with insurance. Ask the contractor if the company is insured against claims covering worker's compensation, property damage, and personal liability in case of accidents. Then call to verify the contractor's insurance coverage after obtaining the name of the carrier and agency.

Finally, check with the provincial, or city housing authority to see if the contractor must meet certain licensing and/or bonding requirements in your area. If so, make sure your contractor is properly licensed and bonded. Never pay a contractor for the entire job in advance and avoid paying in cash whenever possible.

Home Improvement is not an exact science. Expensive hidden problems can be uncovered once work has begun.

Quick Check List
Before selecting a remodeling contractor, you should do the following:

Plan your project from start to finish.
Be specific in explaining exactly what you want.
Be sure to approve any architectural plans that are involved before the contract work begins.
Compare costs before making a financial commitment.
Discuss bids in detail with each contractor.
Ask the contractor for local references and find out if he or she is a member of a professional association.
Contact your BBB to learn how long a contractor has been in business and if they address any complaints.
Find out if a contractor is insured against claims covering workers compensation, property damage, and personal liability.
Check with provincial or city housing authorities to be sure that a contractor meets all area licensing/bonding requirements.

Cashier Cheque Scam
For those looking to sell personal property such as vehicles, motorcycles and RVs be aware of this scam before listing your items on the internet.
Here is how it works
A person looking to sell a used car or motorcycle advertises the vehicle on the world wide web.
Then the seller is contacted, often by e-mail or telephone by a prospective buyer, from a foreign country, usually overseas. Without negotiating or haggling this buyer agrees to the asking price and wants immediate assurance the vehicle will not be sold to anyone else. He offers to have someone pick up and ship the vehicle to his location (at no cost to the seller) once the sale is complete.
When the discussion reaches method of payment the buyer suggests a cashier's cheque, valued for more than the agreed-upon purchase price.
This cheque is to come from the overseas buyer, with the difference to be sent to a third party, (often here in Canada, or sometimes the US) the buyer says he owes money to. The seller is asked to cash the cheque, keep the right amount for the sale of his car or bike, and send what's left to this third party. A slightly different version sees the cheque come from the third party, with the overpayment sent back to the buyer.
A week or two later (after you forwarded the surplus and your old car has been shipped) you find out the cashiers cheque is no good. You are out the price you sold the car and the car itself, with no way to recoup your losses.
Remember, if it seems to good to be true, it is.

9-0-# Telephone Scam
The 9-0-# scam has been around for years and is directed at businesses, hospitals, government agencies and other organizations that use telephone switching equipment called private branch exchanges (PBXs) to handle their calls.
This type of fraud involves a perpetrator who calls an office and cons an unsuspecting worker into transferring him or her to an outside line. The perpetrator then starts dialing calls that are charged to the owner of the PBX. In this latest version, the caller claims to be an service technician "repairing" the phone lines and convinces the recipient of the call to help out by transferring him to an outside line and then hanging up.

Below are some points about this scam worth remembering:
This scam doesn't affect residential customers; its target is businesses.
A service technician would never call customers and ask them to help check telephone lines.
The scam is generating a lot of interest in the media and over the Internet, but our network fraud experts report no increase in the number of fraud cases as a result of this notoriety.
The best prevention against this type of fraud is for business managers to make their office staff aware of it and to review what to do if it happens.
If someone receives such a call, he or she should ask the "technician" for a call-back number or for the name and number of the caller's supervisor. Then hang up.
Report this, or any scam, to your local law enforcement agency, and contact your local BBB.

Employment Recruitment Scams

If you are contacted by a foreign based company asking that you accept payments from Canadian customers on their behalf, beware, this could be a scam.
Typically these foreign companies review job recruitment websites looking for a Canadian agent, whose job is to accept payments from Canadian customers on behalf of the foreign company and then transfer the funds outside of Canada, retaining a small commission.

The real intent here is to transfer stolen funds outside of Canada meaning anyone who participates, even unknowingly, would become an accomplice to the crime and therefore can be prosecuted.
Tips to protect yourself...
These companies go to great lengths to appear legitimate, presenting employment agreements, references, websites, and detailed contracts. While at first glance these documents may appear authentic, look for grammar and spelling errors, or the use of odd wording or phrases.
Never sign anything without first reading, and understanding it from start to finish.
Always check out an unknown company with the BBB
check out these sites...

www.phonebusters.com www.recol.ca www.bbb.org

Payment Forwarding / Overpayment Scams

This is very similar to the employment recruitment scam, just with a twist. An individual or 'business' sends you an international money order for more than the amount actually owing, sometimes claiming it to have been a mistake on their part and ask that you return the sum over and above the agreed upon price. Other times requesting that you take the extra cash and pay a third party on their behalf.
Always you are asked to use a wire transfer service - which is immediate and not traceable.
Eventually you find out that the method of payment they used is counterfeit (e.g. stolen credit cards or fake cheque/money order), but by the time you realize this it is too late - you have already done what they asked and you are out money!

Advanced Fee Loan Scam

Advance-fee loan schemes should not be confused with mortgage brokers, who arrange real estate loans, or moneylenders such as banks, savings & loans, and credit unions. These so-called loan brokers advertise in the newspaper classifieds and on the internet hoping to attract financially vulnerable consumers or business owners with the promise of guaranteed, low interest loans to consolidate or pay off debts and clean-up credit records.

According to BBB files, consumers who have answered such ads were told that their credit application could be taken over the phone and approved within a day. Not surprisingly, all applications were "approved" and consumers were asked to send upfront fees ranging from $100 to several hundred dollars, supposedly to cover the first loan payment or for other expenses. Consumers who have sent money to bogus loan brokers report that they never received the loan and never received a refund for the upfront fee.

Slamming, Long-distance Telephone service

Slamming is when your telephone service is switched from one company to another without your permission, or sometimes even your knowledge.
You should know that according to the CRTC all long-distance providers are required to obtain customer authorization prior to switching your provider.
Authorization may be gained in writing, verbally, and by electronic confirmation via telephone or Internet. You should also know that a member of the household, other than the customer named on the bill/statement could act as an agent for the person who is named on the account.
If you receive notice that your service may be switched write to the company in question telling them you do not want their service, and ask them to remove your name and telephone number from their contact list.
If you have been slammed contact your original long-distance provider to have your service switched back, write a letter of complaint to the company that slammed you, and consider filing a complaint with the appropriate BBB.