As the Canadian National Exhibition opens in Toronto and across the country similar fairs swing into action, Canadians must be on the alert for fraud. Whether it's the Pacific National Exhibition, a fall fair or a home show, when exhibitors offer prizes, promote contests and encourage you to "fill out this form to get...", some of your personal information may end up in the wrong hands - those of fraudulent telemarketers.

"When you know someone, you recognize their voice. Otherwise you do not know who is calling even if I give you a name," says Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detective Staff Sergeant Barry Elliott of PhoneBusters, the Canadian national deceptive telemarketing call centre, which is operated by the OPP.

Elliott feels consumers hold the key to breaking the fraud cycle. Although a recent study on privacy states 80% of Canadians believe their personal information should be kept completely confidential, Elliott emphasizes that people are still too lax in protecting their own personal information.

PhoneBusters regularly receives calls on its national toll free line 1-888-495-8501 and emails at PhoneBusters@efni.com from consumers who have freely given their credit card number or personal information on a contest ballot or over the telephone and are now victims of fraud, which may cost them thousands. Experts feel some are too embarrassed to speak up. Through efforts like PhoneBusters, telemarketing fraud has been reduced by an estimated 72% nationally, but the goal is 100% elimination of fraudulent telemarketing.

After a major consumer show where contest and prize ballots are available, Elliott reports PhoneBusters receives calls from people who have been offered prizes if they spend money first. Consumers are told they have been specially selected to win a prize, or have been awarded one of three or two of five prizes, which usually include cash or a vehicle. They must purchase a product and pay in advance to receive their prize. These products may include "coin collections", personalized pen sets, etc. that are generally cheap or overpriced, but may sound valuable over the phone. In the eagerness to win a prize, many otherwise savvy consumers have been taken in.

The Better Business Bureau offers these tips for dealing with telemarketers in general:

Published: August 22, 2000

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Futurist and Strategist PJ Wade is "The Catalyst" -- intent on "Challenging The Best Become Even Better." PJ earned this title by translating the dynamic impact of Boomers and their multi-generation families into relevant insights that start people thinking and taking action—in business and in life. Author of 7 books and more than 1600 published articles, PJ encourages individuals to become their own futurist. PJ writes and speaks about the insight, knowledge and solid decision-making skills that professionals and their clients need to live and work in this vortex of change. For instance, since PJ knows that home is headquarters for the new decades-long "unretirement," she wrote the popular book "Reverse Mortgages: Best Friend, Worst Enemy... Your Choice! (CatapultPublishing.com), which is filled with suggestions and insight on protecting and using home equity. Her new business book, "What's Your Point?," which identifies 7 common mistakes professionals unknowingly repeat to their detriment, will be published in 2009. As The Catalyst, PJ provides strategic communication, client appreciation and advanced education services to the financial, tourism, lifestyle and service sectors -- and the clients they serve. A frequently-quoted financial and business commentator, PJ is a thought-provoking strategic speaker who offers practical, real-life suggestions on leaving "the box" behind and embracing Forward Thinking -- a talent she regularly demonstrates in this column. For more on blogs, books and topics, visit TheCatalyst.com.