Don’t Become a Victim of Fraud in 2010:BBB Releases New Smart Consumer Tip Sheets

1/10/2010

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VICTORIA, BC – In an effort to increase consumer education and awareness about making informed shopping decisions and avoiding frauds and scams, BBB Vancouver Island has released a series of Smart Consumer Tips Sheets and embarked on an intensified public outreach program for 2010.

“BBB Vancouver Island is focused this year on ensuring that both consumers and businesses are as educated and informed as possible about what they can do to ensure our local business community and economy continues to function in a trustworthy fashion,” says Rosalind Scott, Executive Director of BBB Vancouver Island. “Neither businesses nor customers can afford to lose faith in one another right now. Education, information sharing and improving communication between consumers and businesses are the only ways we are going to establish a marketplace based on trust and ethics.”

As part of the 2010 public education program the following information, products and services are available to media, consumers and businesses:

1) 10 Red Flags You Are Being Scammed (Smart Consumer Tip Sheet & Brochure)
2) Top 10 Scams of 2009: Protect Yourself From Becoming a Victim in 2010 (Smart Consumer Tip Sheet & Brochure)
3) 2009 A Year in Review: Top 10 Complaint & Inquiry Statistics by Industry (Smart Consumer Tip Sheet)
4) 2010 BBB Accredited Business Directory (Listings of local Accredited Businesses and tips on making informed purchase decisions)

Throughout the month of January and on an ongoing basis your BBB will deliver a number of educational workshops and presentations on topics such as protecting yourself from becoming a victim of scams, identity theft and smart consumerism. Your BBB will also be partnering with BC Securities Commission to deliver a series of workshop titled “Top 10 Scams & Investments Frauds,” for members of the Intercultural Association.

“As part of our ongoing public education campaign the BBB invites any group interested in hosting a presentation or workshop to contact us,” says Scott. “Whether you are a student, senior, consumer or business you will benefit from learning more about what you can do to make informed purchases and protect yourself and others from fraud. We are happy to accommodate all groups, no matter what your size or interest.”

For more information about becoming a smart consumer visit our News Centre at vi.bbb.org.

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To schedule an interview, presentation or workshop please contact:
Rosalind Scott, Executive Director
Tel: (250) 386-6348 ext 106
Email: rosalindscott@vi.bbb.org

About BBB: BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behaviours. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability ReportsTM and educational information of topics affecting marketplace trust. Please visit vi.bbb.org for more information about BBB.
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