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06/23/2008
The 1-(900) line scam is a variation on the ages-old prize scheme. The consumer is encouraged, usually through an offer in the mail, to call a 1-(900) number in order to find out what prize he or she has won. The implication is that you have won a large prize - cash, cars, boats, etc. and your brief phone call will confirm which prize is yours.
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06/23/2008
The following message provides general information on cults. The information was obtained from a paper entitled "Marketing or Commercial Cults" written by Corporal F. Reed Leary, of Edmonton Integrated Intelligence, the Canadian contact on this subject.
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06/23/2008
Con artists, short for confidence artists, are unscrupulous individuals who persuade people to believe in them and then convince those people to give them money for a "sure thing" investment. Most successful con artists look like regular business people and are usually smooth, well-spoken and charming.
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06/23/2008
Chain letters, regardless of their purpose, ie: whether to produce money for the person who sends them or to bring good luck, are illegal in Canada in any form. When there is no exchange of a tangible product or service but the participants are expected to send money, it is known as a pyramid scheme, which is a direct violation of the Competition Act. In addition, chain letters give the recipient the false impression that they will be receiving money or good luck and health.
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06/02/2008
The typical pattern of the scheme is that the consumer or applicant receives information either by wa y of a classified ad in the newspaper or from a flyer through the mail offering them huge earnings with no experience necessary by working out of their homes.
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06/02/2008
exchange for the investment. Also, like a pyramid, early "investors" will usually receive funds as a result of the later "investors" cash. ALL Pyramid Schemes are illegal. The swindles are often disguised as transactions in new and poorly understood investment instruments. They usually do not involve an actual sale of products or services.
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06/02/2008
Pyramid schemes are frauds that are based on recruiting an ever decreasing number of investors. The initial promotors (those at the peak of the pyramid) recruit investors who are expected to bring in more investors and who may or may not sell products or distributorships. Recruiting newcomers is more important than selling products.
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06/02/2008
Some telemarketing businesses sell their products by promising their customers wonderful prizes like cash, appliances, vacations, and cars. In order to receive your prize, of which you are a "guaranteed winner", the customer is usually required to forward a shipping and handling fee or "redemption charge" along with an order for the advertising specialty products such as pens or fridge magnets.
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06/02/2008
Pursuant to sections 206 and 207 of the Criminal Code, foreign lotteries are illegal in Canada. Anyone who makes, prints, advertises, publishes or participates in a foreign lottery is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
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06/02/2008
When seeking employment in the classified section of your local newspaper, the Better Business Bureau urges you to be cautious of employment opportunities that exhibit the following characteristics:
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06/02/2008
Direct marketing employs a wide range of techniques to reach potential consumers. Some of these include the distribution of pamphlets or brochures, letters, mail order, and telemarketing.
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