From My Bottom Step

The London Police Service is warning residents of a telephone based scam that targets persons responding to an offer from The Canadian Warranty Services. This business identifies themselves as being operated in the United States . The victims are offered an option to extend the warranty on their vehicles and payment is completed over the telephone using the victim’s credit card. Once the transaction is completed the victim’s credit card is debited for a large sum of money and the warranty does not exist. Several London residents have been recently contacted by this company or a similar variation.

The London Police Service recommends that anyone contacted by this, or any other company, unsolicited, not provide their personal and credit information without first thoroughly checking out the Company with an independent source.

Further tips from the RCMP website on Telemarketing Frauds:

• DO NOT believe that everyone calling with an exciting promotion or investment opportunity is trustworthy, especially if you do not know the caller or their company.
• DO NOT invest or purchase a product or service without carefully checking out the investment, product, service, and the company.
• DO NOT be afraid to request further documentation from the caller so you can verify the validity of the company.
• DO NOT be fooled by the promise of a valuable prize in return for a low cost purchase.
• DO NOT be pressured to send money to take advantage of a “special offer or deal.”
• DO NOT be hurried into sending money to claim a prize that is available for only a “few hours”
• DO NOT disclose information about your finances, bank accounts or credit cards ( not even the credit card expiry date).
• DO NOT be afraid to hang-up the phone.
• DO contact Project Phonebusters if you are contacted by someone who promises you great prizes, but you are required to send money in advance for shipping, handling, taxes, etc.
• DO contact Project Phonebusters if you are contacted by someone who says that you have won a prize, but you have to purchase a product to qualify.

Please contact Project Phonebusters to lodge a complaint or request more information:

• Toll-free telephone: 1-888-495-8501
• Toll-free fax: 1-888-654-9426
• Website: www.phonebusters.com
• Mail: Box 686 , North Bay , Ontario P1B 8J8