Consumer Advisory/Advertising on the Internet: Use of "Fake News Websites"
(firmenpresse) - OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 03/19/12 -- During Fraud Prevention Month, the Competition Bureau is advising Canadians to be watchful of advertisements on the Internet that appear to be legitimate news websites.
Today, millions of Canadians regularly interact with their friends and families through social networks, and pay bills and conduct business over the Internet.
A recent trend in misleading Internet advertising has been to make product advertisements appear to be legitimate and reputable news websites. These sophisticated advertisements, disguised as investigative news stories seem to contain all the attributes of a legitimate news website. However, many scammers create fake news websites to promote bogus products with unfounded and misleading claims. Such advertisements may be used to promote a variety of products and services, from health products to job opportunity scams.
A typical fake news website uses deceptive testimonials and fabricated reader comments, false endorsements by celebrities, and illegitimately inserts web logos from trusted mainstream media, or popular television programs. Almost every aspect of the website is fake, with multiple hyperlinks inserted, encouraging consumers to buy, or sign up for a "free" trial of a product. Affiliate marketers are using these fake news websites to manipulate consumers' trust in legitimate news organizations.
Here are a few tips to help you avoid scams and better protect yourself online:
To report a scam, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at or call 1-888-495-8501. For more tips, visit the Competition Bureau's website at .
The Competition Bureau, as an independent law enforcement agency, ensures that Canadian businesses and consumers prosper in a competitive and innovative marketplace.
FRAUD: Recognize It. Report It. Stop It.
Contacts:
For media enquiries, please contact:
Media Relations
819-994-5945
For general enquiries, please contact:
Information Centre
Competition Bureau
819-997-4282 / Toll free: 1-800-348-5358
TTY (hearing impaired): 1-800-642-3844
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Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 19.03.2012 - 10:39 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 1094116
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OTTAWA, ONTARIO
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Government & Administration
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