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Difference between revisions of "If You've Been Scammed"
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{{REVIEWEDPLS | reviewer = [[People's Law School]]|date= March 2017}}{{Scams to Avoid TOC}} | {{REVIEWEDPLS | reviewer = [[People's Law School]]|date= March 2017}}{{Scams to Avoid TOC}} | ||
If you think you’ve been the victim of a scam or identity theft, here are steps to take to prevent further problems. | If you think you’ve been the victim of a scam or identity theft, here are steps to take to prevent further problems. | ||
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==Step 5: If any mail is missing, contact Canada Post== | ==Step 5: If any mail is missing, contact Canada Post== | ||
If you think your mail is being stolen or redirected, contact Canada Post’s customer service department at 1-866-607-6301 or www.canadapost.ca. | If you think your mail is being stolen or redirected, contact Canada Post’s customer service department at 1-866-607-6301 or [http://www.canadapost.ca www.canadapost.ca]. | ||
==Step 6: Protect your devices== | ==Step 6: Protect your devices== | ||
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==Step 8. Contact the credit reporting agencies== | ==Step 8. Contact the credit reporting agencies== | ||
Contact the credit reporting agencies Equifax and TransUnion to let them know of the scam or identity theft. These are the two main agencies in Canada that prepare '''credit reports'''. | Contact the credit reporting agencies Equifax and TransUnion to let them know of the scam or identity theft. These are the two main agencies in Canada that prepare '''credit reports'''. | ||
* '''Equifax:''' 1-800-465-7166 (toll-free) or www.equifax.ca | * '''Equifax:''' 1-800-465-7166 (toll-free) or [http://www.equifax.ca www.equifax.ca] | ||
* '''TransUnion:''' 1-800-663-9980 (toll-free) or www.transunion.ca | * '''TransUnion:''' 1-800-663-9980 (toll-free) or [http://www.transunion.ca www.transunion.ca] | ||
Discuss with the credit reporting agencies whether to have a | Discuss with the credit reporting agencies whether to have a "fraud alert" placed on your file. A fraud alert means that businesses or banks will call you before opening any new accounts or changing your existing accounts. | ||
Ask each credit reporting agency to send you a copy of your credit report. The report may reveal '''debts''' charged in your name. | Ask each credit reporting agency to send you a copy of your credit report. The report may reveal '''debts''' charged in your name. | ||
==Step 9. Report the incident to consumer agencies== | ==Step 9. Report the incident to consumer agencies== | ||
Report the incident to the agencies that help protect consumers. See the | Report the incident to the agencies that help protect consumers. See the "[[Where to Get Help for Scams to Avoid|Where to Get Help]]" section for contact details. | ||
* If you are the victim of a scam or identity theft, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. This federal agency | * If you are the victim of a scam or identity theft, report it to the [http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre]. This federal agency doesn't conduct investigations but it does collect information about fraud and identity theft, which can help protect others from being scammed. | ||
* Report a scam to the Better Business | * Report a scam to the Better Business Bureau's [https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/mbc/reportscam Scam Tracker], or complain about a business or charity by [https://www.bbb.org/consumer-complaints/file-a-complaint/get-started filing a complaint with the BBB]. | ||
* If you’ve been tricked into signing a contract or buying a product or service, report the incident to Consumer Protection BC. | * If you’ve been tricked into signing a contract or buying a product or service, report the incident to [https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/consumers-other-businesses-home/how-to-make-a-complaint Consumer Protection BC]. | ||
==Step 10. Consider legal action== | ==Step 10. Consider legal action== | ||
You can consider taking legal action against those involved in the scam or fraud. If you | You can consider taking legal action against those involved in the scam or fraud. If you don't have a lawyer, see the options for free or low cost legal help in the "[[Where to Get Help for Scams to Avoid|Where to Get Help]]" section. | ||
==Get help== | ==Get help== | ||
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* The Credit Counselling Society provides support for people struggling with debt, as well as counselling to help people manage money better. | * The Credit Counselling Society provides support for people struggling with debt, as well as counselling to help people manage money better. | ||
See the | See the "[[Where to Get Help for Scams to Avoid|Where to Get Help]]" section for contact details. | ||
{{Scams to Avoid Navbox}} | {{Scams to Avoid Navbox}} | ||
