British Columbians are increasingly losing money to text messaging-related scams. In 2012, more than $7,700 in losses were reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre from these kinds of schemes - a 600 per cent increase over the previous year.

To mark March's Fraud Prevention Month - a month-long, national initiative that helps Canadians recognize, prevent and report fraudulent activities - the Ministry of Justice, Consumer Protection BC and the Better Business Bureau Mainland BC have teamed up to share important information with British Columbian consumers about texting and app scams.

You might be at risk if...

You click on text message links from unfamiliar sources.

Tips to lessen the risk:

• If you are notified via a text message about a prize you have won, confirm with the actual source independently and do not click on any links or respond to the message.

• Do not share personal information (including credit card numbers) via text messages. And remember that you should never have to pay an upfront fee to claim a prize.

You receive texts from third-party marketing companies.

Tips to lessen the risk:

• Avoid playing games where you need to share your personal data with the company. If you do play online, read the full terms and conditions to find out how the company will use your information.

• Ignore instructions to text "STOP" or "NO" to prevent future texts -- this could be a ploy by scammers to confirm they have a real, active phone number.

• Forward the texts to 7726 (SPAM on most keypads). This will alert your cell phone carrier to block future texts from those numbers.

You sign up for free apps, but don't read the terms and conditions.

Tips to lessen the risk:

• Read all the terms and conditions when signing up for the app or game, including how the company will use your information (such as your cell phone number and email address).

• Avoid giving your credit card information to unknown sources. Read reviews about the app to see if there are any complaints about privacy or billing issues.

• Check out the app's company at: mbc.bbb.org/Find-Business-Reviews

Learn More:

If you have questions about your rights and responsibilities as a consumer in British Columbia, please contact Consumer Protection BC toll-free at 1 888 564-9963 or visit: www.consumerprotectionbc.ca

For more information about Fraud Prevention Month, visit: www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/h_00122.html

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 356-6961

Consumer Protection BC
1 888 564-9963 ext. 2824
media@consumerprotectionbc.ca

Mark Fernandes
Strategic communications and public relations officer
Better Business Bureau Mainland BC
604 488-8701
mark@mbc.bbb.org