POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 93 CREDIT CARD FRAUD My daughter was helping me buy gifts online with my credit card last month. When my statement came, I noticed there were purchases from designer clothing stores that I didn’t remember making. When I asked my daughter about it she just laughed and said I was getting forgetful, but she’s wearing new clothes from those stores. Fraud committed by a family member is still fraud. If someone is piling up debt in your name, you could end up having to pay it all back. It could also hurt your credit rating. Ask questions. Make sure you are not responsible for someone else’s purchases. Tips: • Watch out for purchases on your credit card statements that you don’t remember making. • Keep your credit cards safe and your PIN secret. • Examine your monthly credit card statements. You are protected from errors or fraud, but you have a limited time to report problems. • Contact your bank or credit card issuer directly for information on your accounts and order your free credit report at least once a year from both credit reporting agencies.* • Report suspected fraud or scams to the police. Fraud is a crime. It could happen to anyone. Stay informed. Quiz: The following true or false questions may help you learn more about credit card fraud. 1. If your credit card is lost, stolen or used without your permission, you should report this information right away to the credit card company. 2. Credit card issuers do not permit you to lend your credit card. Lending your card may void the consumer protections you have under laws and voluntary codes. 3. If you request an additional card for a family member, you are liable for all debt that person incurs. 4. There is no need to destroy a credit card application that came in the mail if you are just throwing it in the garbage. 1. (T) 2. (T) 3. (T) 4. (F) Elder Fraud: It’s time to face the reality. DOOR-TO-DOOR SALES FRAUD A well-dressed young man came to the door and said his company was in the neighbourhood doing some work. They could fix my roof for a good price but I had to decide right away. He said we didn’t need a contract; my handshake was good enough. I gave him a cheque for materials. Now his phone is disconnected and no one has come to fix my roof. Most door-to-door sales are legitimate but some are not. Ask questions. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Tips: • Watch out for sales people who "just happen" to be in your neighbourhood. • Never sign on the first day. Sleep on it. Don’t sign just because you feel pressured. • Be suspicious when someone asks you for money before the work is started. • Look into the company before you give them your money. A good company will be registered with the Better Business Bureau and be able to give you strong references. • Report suspected fraud or scams to the police. Fraud is a crime. It could happen to anyone. Stay informed. Quiz: The following true or false questions may help you learn more about door-to-door sales fraud. 1. It is common practice for legitimate businesses to ask you to decide on the spot or else miss out on the discount. 2. It is normal for a salesperson to ask for payment in cash or by cheque before starting the work. 3. It is easy to tell if someone is a con artist by looking at them or listening to them. 4. Con artists may tell you the cost of a home repair project without inspecting the job first. 1. (F) 2. (F) 3. (F) 4. (T) Elder Fraud: It’s time to face the reality. For more information: www.seniors.gc.ca 1-800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) TTY: 1-800-926-9105 © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada — 2009-06-08 Cat. No.: J2-353/3-2009 ISBN: 978-0-662-06878-5 Department of Justice Ministère de la Justice www.justice.gc.ca
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