Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
Symbol of the Government of Canada

Financial Consumer Agency of Canada

www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca

 

Press Release

2/26/2013

Alert: Merchants may be approached by people misrepresenting themselves as FCAC employees

Ottawa, February 26, 2013 – The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) has issued a Consumer Alert warning merchants that the Agency and its employees do not approach companies to solicit business nor ask that they represent the Agency.

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada has learned that individuals have been contacting merchants and stating that they represent FCAC regarding credit or debit card transactions. This may lead merchants to believe that they are dealing with a reputable corporation that is endorsed by a government agency.

Anyone contacted in this manner is asked to report the incident to:

  • their payment card network operator (e.g. Visa, MasterCard, Interac, American Express, Discover, The Exchange)
  • FCAC
    Telephone:      866-461-FCAC (3222) (toll-free)
    Fax:               866-814-2224 (toll-free)
                         613-941-1436 (local and overseas)
    Email: info@fcac-acfc.gc.ca
  • The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
    Telephone:      888-495-8501 (toll-free in Canada and the U.S.A.)
    Fax:               888-654-9426 (toll-free in Canada and the U.S.A.)
    Email: info@antifraudcentre.ca

    The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is a joint partnership between the Ontario Provincial Police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Competition Bureau Canada.

About FCAC

With educational materials and interactive tools, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) provides objective information about financial products and services to help Canadians increase their financial knowledge and confidence in managing their personal finances. FCAC informs consumers about their rights and responsibilities when dealing with banks and federally regulated trust, loan and insurance companies. FCAC also makes sure that federally regulated financial institutions, payment card network operators and external complaints bodies comply with legislation and industry commitments intended to protect consumers.

You can reach us through FCAC’s Consumer Services Centre by calling toll-free 1-866-461-3222 (TTY: 613-947-7771 or 1-866-914-6097) or by visiting our website: itpaystoknow.gc.ca.

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Media relations:

Julie Hauser
Media Relations Officer
613-941-4168
julie.hauser@fcac-acfc.gc.ca



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Date Modified:
2013-01-25