Scam artists continue to target British Columbian seniors through deceptive sweepstakes opportunities that come through the mail.
This province is teaming up with Consumer Protection BC to provide tips to help British Columbians avoid becoming victims of these types of fraud.
Residents across B.C. have received letters in the mail saying they've won $2.5 million. All they have to do is send $30 in the mail as a processing fee and include personal details, such as her telephone number and birth date. Once the scam artists have the personal information, they are put on a so-called "sucker list" and begin to receive more and more offers like this one in the mail, without ever seeing any winnings.
Some tips to protect seniors and their family from deceptive mail-outs and lottery scams:
Do not pay up-front for any prize. A legitimate prize offering will never require you to pay anything.
Be suspicious of free gifts.
Be careful if an offering asks for you to send personal information.
Before responding to a company you have never heard of, contact organizations such as Consumer Protection BC, Canada's Anti-Fraud Centre or your local Better Business Bureau to see if they have received any complaints about the company.
Do not fill out surveys or questionnaires asking questions about gambling, puzzles or sweepstakes.
When getting rid of documents that have your personal information on them (bills and bank statements), shred them.
Do not be fooled by glossy and colourful mail-outs.
Educate family members on how these scams work
For more information, contact Consumer Protection BC at 1-888-564-9963 or visit www.consumerprotectionbc.ca
