These short articles, originally issued by the Bureau as consumer and business alerts, contain information on how you can avoid falling victim to deceptive marketing practices and scams.
| Date | Subject | Article | Hidden Search Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-03-01 March 1, 2023 | Cryptocurrency investment fraud | Quick easy money? Sometimes it’s a quick easy LIE | customers, online, consumer reviews |
| 2022-03-02 March 2, 2022 | Fake reviews | Five-star fake out | scam, fraud, fraudsters, consumers |
| 2018-10-29 March 10, 2017 | Snow removal agreements | Snow removal businesses: Avoid a flurry of problems, steer clear of illegal agreements | price, price fixing, agreement, territory, customers, clientele, discussion, collusion, snow, plowing, snow removal |
| 2021-03-15 March 15, 2021 | Scams targeted at businesses | Taking care of business | scam, fraud, fraudsters, consumers |
| 2021-03-01 March 1, 2021 | Non-delivery scams | Non-delivery scams: When nothing comes to those who wait | shopping online, fraud, online marketplace, consumers |
| 2020-03-11 March 11, 2020 | Trapped subscriptions | Subscription traps: “no-strings attached” trial offers could leave you with your hands tied | shopping online, fraud, online marketplace, consumers |
| 2019-11-29 November 29, 2019 | Third-party sellers | Check Out the Seller Before You Checkout | shopping online, fraud, online marketplace, third-party sellers, shopping surprises |
| 2017-11-07 November 7, 2017 | Appliance warranties | Seven questions you should ask before buying new appliances | fridge, refrigerator, washer, dryer, stove, range, warranty, guarantee, repair, appliances, manufacturer |
| 2019-02-27 February 27, 2019 | Bamboo fabric | Don't be bamboozled: The real deal with "bamboo fabric" | bamboo, fabric, environment, chemicals, false, deceptive, advertising |
| 2018-04-17 April 17, 2018 | Business contracts | What you don't know about contracts could hurt your business | business, automatic renewal clause, price escalation clause, exclusivity clause, terms and conditions, fine print, quote |
| 2018-04-25 April 25, 2018 | Business directories | Business directories: Double-check before writing a cheque | directory, spam, email, fax, telemarketing |
| 2017-06-21 June 21, 2017 | CEO impersonation | Show them who's the boss—shut down the fake CEO scam | letter, fake CEO, wire transfer, boss, employee, company |
| 2018-09-04 September 4, 2018 | Charity scams | Happy International Day of Charity: Give with confidence | charity, fake charity, charities, donating, donate, donations, giving |
| 2016-11-21 November 21, 2016 | Cheap luxury items | High-end online shopping at "bargain basement" prices | bargain, knock-offs, designer, brand names, fashion, counterfeit, fake, purses, watches, clothes, shoes |
| 2017-05-12 May 12, 2017 | Computer virus/repair scams | Hang up on tech experts claiming your computer has a virus; it's a scam | Windows, computers, computer, tech, tech support, IT, viruses, virus, repair |
| 2018-03-19 March 19, 2018 | Contests and prizes | A special prize just for you? Don't be fooled into believing you are a sweepstakes winner | letter, official, pre-addressed reply, contest, prize, scam, win, winner, sweepstakes |
| 2018-02-15 February 15, 2018 | Credit card debt relief services | Debt relief promises: Tips for choosing a debt relief service that keeps its word | bankruptcy, creditors, credit card, guarantee, debts, loans, counsellor, debt relief, debt services |
| 2018-10-29 October 29, 2018 | Cryptocurrency | Tales from the cryptocurrency investment ghouls, goblins and ghosts | cryptocurrency, bitcoin, pyramid scheme, investments, get rich quick, celebrity, endorsements, testimonials |
| 2017-01-23 January 23, 2017 | Environmental claims | It's not easy being green. Businesses must back up their words | Environment, green, green product, eco-friendly, safe, organic, biodegradable |
| 2019-08-29 August 29, 2019 | Fake government websites | Government websites: Spot the legitimate among the fakes | scam, scam website, federal, government, spoof website, official, deceptive practices, google, search |
| 2017-05-10 May 10, 2017 | Flowers online | Avoid the wrong kind of surprise this Mother's Day | flowers, bouquet, arrangement, online shopping, gift |
| 2017-09-20 September 20, 2017 | Free trial offers | Free trial that turns out to be a monthly subscription: It's a trap | monthly fees, fee, credit card, subscription, pop-up surveys, charges, continuity scam |
| 2016-03-08 March 8, 2016 | Free trial offers | Subscription traps: “no-strings attached” trial offers could leave you with your hands tied | subscription, trap, online offer, free trial, fees, charges, monthly, limited time, unwanted deliveries |
| 2016-03-18 March 18, 2016 | Government grants, loans, and benefits | Don't trust companies that promise government grants and loans | government, application, approval, official |
| 2016-03-30 March 30, 2016 | Immigration scams | Scammers reaching new lows as they focus their efforts on defrauding immigrants and refugees | refugee, asylum, threatening, government, government official, police, deportation, arrest, fake programs, fraud |
| 2017-03-07 March 7, 2017 | Intellectual property | Beware of emails and letters demanding payment to protect your intellectual property rights | Canadian Intellectual Property Office, CIPO, solicitation, copyright, trademark, rights, lawyer |
| 2016-03-31 March 31, 2016 | Investment scams | Beware the green gremlin of investment fraud | high-pressure sales, Ontario Securities Commission, OSC, fraudulent, returns, real estate, stock |
| 2017-03-14 March 14, 2017 | Investment scams | Don't invest in fraud: Know how to spot investment scams | fraud, risk, insider information, stocks, stock market, bonds, returns, hot tip, insider information, pressure tactic |
| 2017-12-15 December 15, 2017 | iTunes gift card as payments | Fill your library, not their wallets | government, CRA, taxes, payment, extortion, gift card, iTunes, back taxes, telemarketing |
| 2018-07-09 July 9, 2018 | Leather furniture | Leather furniture… True or faux?
Cheat sheet: types of “leather” in furniture |
full grain, top grain, bonded leather, faux leather, vegan leather |
| 2019-07-02 July 2, 2019 | Loyalty programs | Customer loyalty programs: What is your brand loyalty worth? | reward, rewards, hidden, loyalty, loyal, free, frequent, incentives, incentive, VIP, points, cash back, insider, perks |
| 2017-08-01 August 1, 2017 | Movers and moving | The next time you move, dodge the "rogue movers" who take your belongings hostage | belongings, move, moving, mover, house, home, apartment, surprise fees, certification, Canada Anti-Fraud Centre, Better Business Bureau, BBB |
| 2019-02-14 February 14, 2019 | Online dating websites | Online dating: Know what you're signing up for | deceptive, terms, conditions, free, trial, membership, advertising |
| 2017-02-10 February 10, 2017 | Online dating websites | Know the price of love | dating, online profile, hidden fees, fake profile, match |
| 2018-11-21 November 21, 2018 | Cancelled discount | Bargain hunting season could turn into a wild goose chase | bait and switch, false, advertising, scam, online, discounts, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, basket, checkout, online shopping, cancel, cancellation |
| 2017-07-13 July 13, 2017 | Online price isn’t in Canadian dollars | Mind the "$": Is that price in Canadian or American dollars? | exchange rate, currency, dollars, shopping, online shopping |
| 2017-10-31 October 31, 2017 | Psychics | Unexpected letters from a psychic: All signs point to fraud | clairvoyant, fortune teller, elderly, ESP |
| 2018-06-27 June 27, 2018 | Pyramid schemes | Becoming your own boss: Yes, but not at any cost | membership fees, financial, entrepreneur, multi-level marketing, business owner, work from home |
| 2016-05-03 May 3, 2016 | Real estate seminars | Don't flip for "free" real estate investment seminars | risk, debt, quick money, quick profit, secret, strategies, testimonials |
| 2018-08-16 August 16, 2018 | Rental accommodations | Rental scam: No room for error | bargain price, student, university, college, Kijiji, Facebook, amenities, deposit, agreement, property, rent, picture |
| 2018-12-11 December 11, 2018 | Smart toys | Be smart with smart toys: Know when to pull the plug | network, Wi-Fi, smart plug, toy, toys, app, apps, ads, connected |
| 2017-07-26 July 26, 2017 | Snow removal agreements | Summer is still in full swing, but winter is just a season away | contracts, season, credentials, subcontracting, clause, snow, plowing, plow |
| 2017-03-10 March 10, 2017 | Snow removal agreements | Snow removal businesses: Avoid a flurry of problems, steer clear of illegal agreements | price-fixing, price, agreement, territory, customers, discussion, collusion, plowing, plow |
| 2016-08-08 August 8, 2016 | Sports streaming packages | Foul play: Sports streaming packages' fine print can hide true terms and conditions | hockey, football, gold, basketball, baseball, advertising, marketing, TV, entertainment, sports |
| 2018-05-24 May 24, 2018 | Survey scams | Pop-up surveys can be a) scams b) traps c) costly? | survey, free product, clickbait, shipping fee, online survey |
| 2019-05-16 May 16, 2019 | Telecom service agreements | Telecom service agreements: That "forever" price may only be a "for now" price | Cell, phone, phones, pricing, contract, deceptive, agreement, false, mobile, cooling, Internet, television, terms of service, switching |
| 2016-12-08 December 8, 2016 | Travel fees | Traveling for the Holidays? Don't get wrapped up in surprise fees | package deal, tickets, hotel, accommodation, airline, resort fee, restrictions, blackout |
| 2016-07-18 July 18, 2016 | Water heater and HVAC sales | Competition Bureau warns consumers about deceptive door-to-door sales of water heaters and HVAC systems | water heater, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, contract, terms and conditions, door to door, salesman |
| 2016-04-18 April 18, 2016 | Water heater contracts | Home buyers surprised at high fees to exit water heater rental contracts | homebuyer, rental contract, exit fee, fees, door-to-door sales |
| 2018-01-15 January 15, 2018 | Weightloss scams | Experiencing the post-holiday weight blues? Be careful! Many diets or fat-burning products may only lighten your wallet | new year, calories, fat, patches, creams, lotions, wraps, body belts, exercise, dieting, unhealthy, supplements, claims, results, doctor, deceptive advertising |