August 23, 2006
Associations
Fraudsters target the industry
Public Works issues fraud alert nationwide
TORONTO
Acting on a tip from a contractor, the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) has forwarded a federally issued fraud alert to its members.
The alert, by Public Works and Government Services Canada, warns that individuals are making fraudulent use of Business Access Canada (BAC) letterhead to obtain confidential financial data from businesses.
In a statement posted on its web site, the department said BAC does not request such financial or banking information.
It advised businesses to contact local police immediately if asked to provide such data and then notify the department.
Public Works contacted more than 100 business associations.
Canadian Construction Association spokesman Jeff Morrison said the association heard about the alert via member organizations, but was not officially notified.
OGCA president Clive Thurston said his association became aware of the matter after “someone tried to pull this scam” on one of its members.
“He found this alert and forwarded this to us, so that we could warn the rest of our members,” he said.
Thurston did not identify the contractor.
“I don’t know if anybody has been victimized,” he said. “No one got back to us.”
In its alert, the Public Works Department said the letter in question is typically a two-page document sent by fax.
The first page is a cover letter that explains that suppliers need to file financial information in order to be eligible for procurement opportunities.
The second page is a form titled “authorization to release financial information.” It requests the following information: bank name, branch phone, branch fax, bank contact, operating account number, bank routing number and the bank account signatures.
The department has notified the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Thurston said his organization periodically issues such bulletins to its members, advising them of various scams.
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