Educated consumers are the best defence against frauds and scams, Government Services Minister Gerry Phillips said today at the launch of the ninth-annual Smart Consumer Calendar.

"An informed consumer is vital to fighting fraud, and our government has taken steps to help inform and protect consumers," said Phillips. "Each year more than 65,000 consumers contact our ministry for advice and help, often involving scams and fraud. This calendar is one more tool we are using to arm consumers with the knowledge they need to protect themselves in the marketplace."

The calendar provides tips and advice to help consumers avoid fraud and scams in areas ranging from identity theft, mortgage fraud and telemarketing fraud to phoney charities, home renovations and buying a vehicle or vehicle insurance. It also includes a comprehensive list of organizations consumers can contact if they have an issue or question related to a specific area of the marketplace.

Phillips launched the calendar at Toronto Police headquarters, accompanied by business partners who co-sponsored the product, as well as Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair and Mike Holmes, host of television's Holmes on Homes.

"I always say it on my show - 'Educate Yourself.' A calendar that gives you tips on what to do to protect yourself is a smart idea," said Holmes.

The calendar will be available in MPP offices and can also be downloaded at www.mgs.gov.on.ca.

"Education is your best defence against fraud. Learn to recognize it, report it and stop it," said Detective Constable John Schultz of PhoneBusters, a partnership of the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. "We are pleased to once again sponsor this worthwhile initiative that helps consumers educate themselves before they act."

The government has taken a number of steps to increase consumer protection in the province. In July 2005, the Consumer Protection Act came into effect, increasing jail terms and fines for individuals and businesses convicted of defrauding consumers through unfair business practices.

In October 2006, the government introduced the Consumer Protection and Service Modernization Act, which proposes important protection for Ontario's families through strengthened consumer protection and modernized government practices and services.

Building on the Consumer Protection Act, one of the key items in the proposed legislation is protection against real estate fraud. It also proposes changes to the Consumer Reporting Act and the Liquor Licence Act.

For more information on consumer protection in Ontario, visit www.mgs.gov.on.ca or call the ministry's Consumer Services Bureau at 416-326-8800 or 1-800-889-9768. Calendars are available across the province through ServiceOntario centres and local MPP offices or by calling 416-326-5300 or 1-800-668-9938.

Disponible en français

www.mgs.gov.on.ca

Backgrounder

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THE MINISTRY OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES

2007 SMART CONSUMER CALENDAR

Smart Consumer Calendar

The 2007 Smart Consumer Calendar (formerly Fraud Free Calendar) provides consumers with tips and resources, while educating them about frauds and scams in the marketplace.

- The ministry will distribute 265,000 copies of the calendar in 2007.

- The calendar will be available at MPP constituency offices and

ServiceOntario/Government Information Centres in 63 communities

throughout Ontario.

- The 2007 Smart Consumer Calendar can also be downloaded from the

ministry's website at www.mgs.gov.on.ca.

- Several pages are supported by private, non-profit organizations and

feature consumer protection information relevant to both the ministry

and the supporting organizations' mandate. Supporting organizations

for the 2007 Smart Consumer Calendar include:

- Bank of Canada

- Canada Revenue Agency - Charities Directorate

- Real Estate Council of Ontario

- Travel Industry Council of Ontario

- PhoneBusters

- Financial Services Commission of Ontario

- Interac

- Investor Education Fund

- Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council

- Board of Funeral Services

- Technical Standards and Safety Authority

Recent Government Initiatives to Enhance Consumer Protection

- In July 2005, the Consumer Protection Act came into effect,

increasing jail terms and fines for individuals and businesses

convicted of defrauding consumers through unfair business practices.

- In June 2006, new protection measures were brought into effect under

the Collection Agencies Act. Banning threatening language and

limiting the number of phone calls collection agencies can make to

consumers were just two of the measures put into place to protect

Ontario families from over-aggressive collection agencies.

- The government recently introduced legislation that, if passed, will

provide consumers with greater protections in the marketplace and

provide clearer and more consistent rules for business. Proposed

changes to enhance consumer protection include:

- Changes to the Land Titles Act to address recent incidents of

fraud in the real estate sector, including increased fines for

fraud-related offences.

- Changes to the Consumer Reporting Act, including giving consumers

the right to have fraud alerts placed on their credit reports.

- Amendments to the Liquor Licence Act to improve public safety,

including allowing establishments to license additional areas of

their premises to deter the risk of date rape drugs being slipped

in unattended drinks.

- Giving the government the authority to eliminate expiration dates

on gift cards.

- Strengthening enforcement powers for unsafe electrical products.

Top 10 Consumer Complaints

- Collection Agencies - Credit Reporting

- Home Repairs - Personal Items - shoes,

cosmetics, clothes, etc.

- Motor Vehicle Purchases - new/used

- Electricity Retailers/Natural

- Motor Vehicle Repairs Gas Marketers

- Home Furnishings - Telephone/Long Distance

Service

- Health and Fitness Clubs

Disponible en français

www.mgs.gov.on.ca

For further information: Paul de Zara, Minister's Office, (416) 327-3072, office, (647) 388-9671, cell; Ciaran Ganley, Ministry of Government Services, (416) 325-8659

Source: newswire