An Overview of International Cyber-Security Awareness Raising and Educational Initiatives (2011)

Campaign Name:

PhoneBusters: The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and
SeniorBusters (for senior citizens)

Organisation:

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

Main URL:

http://www.phonebusters.com/english/index.html

Dates:

1993 till present

Costs:

Not disclosed.

Topics covered:

Fraud scams (predominantly related on scams sent via spam)

Target Audience:

Consumers with particular focus on those most likely to become victims of scams, senior citizens (SeniorBuster)

Methodology:

Education of consumers and those most likely to become victims (often senior citizens).

– Categorised scams (Eg. Puppy scams, lottery emails, advance-fee scams, phishing)

– There are a number of examples of the exact texts of the scams so that users have concrete examples of current scams

Consumers may report scams via telephone, fax or email

Evaluation:

Not found

Additional Information:

‘Established in January of 1993, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (formerly PhoneBusters) is jointly managed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Ontario Provincial Police, and the Competition Bureau of Canada.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) is the central agency in Canada that collects information and criminal intelligence on mass marketing fraud (telemarketing), advance fee fraud letters (e.g. West African), internet fraud and identity theft complaints, that have Canadian content, from North American consumers and/or victims. The CAFC does not conduct investigations, but provides valuable assistance to law enforcement agencies all over the world.

The CAFC plays a key role in educating the public about specific fraudulent schemes and in the collection and dissemination of victim information, statistics and documentation, in order to provide investigative assistance to all law enforcement agencies. The data collected and analysed at the CAFC serves as a valuable tool in evaluating the effects of various types of fraud on the public. It also helps to prevent future similar crimes from taking place.

The CAFC also operates the SeniorBusters program, presently consisting of more than 60 volunteer senior adults who help combat mass marketing fraud practices against seniors. The SeniorBusters program offers education, counselling and referrals to senior victims of illegal mass marketing fraud and identity theft/fraud.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre provides a national integrated environment that facilitates the coordination, collaboration and education of strategies and practices to disrupt and dismantle serious fraud and illegal mass marketing fraud schemes involving Canadians.’

Sources:

1. <http://www.phonebusters.com/english/index.html> (accessed 23 June 2010).