For Fraud Prevention Month, AMVIC has once again partnered with the Competition Bureau’s Fraud Prevention Forum, acknowledging two decades of collective effort against fraud, with the overarching theme of “20 years of fighting fraud: from then to now.” AMVIC joins other Fraud Prevention Partners to raise awareness on fraud and educate consumers and industry on how to recognize, reject and report fraud.
Although March is Fraud Prevention Month, being aware of fraud is a year-round task when it comes to being a smart consumer.
Educate yourself
You have rights as a consumer in Alberta. Visit amvic.org for free, valuable consumer resources to keep you informed and check out AMVIC’s consumer guides on buying new, buying used, and service and repair, available in ten languages.
Know what makes someone a curber or a backyard mechanic
Remember, businesses must be licensed (including service and repair businesses), and salespeople must be registered with AMVIC. Understand what a curber and a backyard mechanic are, and how to avoid and report them. You can verify a business licence or salesperson registration by using AMVIC’s online database.
Fraud comes in all forms
Whether you are shopping in-person or online with an AMVIC-licensed business, fraud could still occur. Review the bill of sale and the financing contract to make sure all required information is accurate. Do not let information be misrepresented on any forms, contracts or financing applications. You could get into serious financial trouble if reported income is incorrect, or if the vehicle’s purchase price is different on the bill of sale versus the financing contract. Get more advice on reading contracts on amvic.org.
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