2@ ~- North Shore News — Wednesday. December 15, 1999 Most popular scams of 1899 THE Attorney General’s Ministry and the Better Business Bureau have determined the most popular ways to swindle money from B i dents in 1999: Pyramid schemes Usually promoted as a fast track to money, pyramid schemes ask you to sell prod- ucts or services to friends, who . Royal Winton 1637 Lonsdzle Ave., N. Van. 984-6700 1730 Marine Drive, W. Van, 926.7710 in turn recruit their friends. The product is not important tle discussion about the market for it, Instead, participants try to recoup their investments by recruiting, more pwestor Don't be fooled. No one mal money except those at the top. Moreover, these schemes are illegal. B Forcign lotteries In B.C., fraudulent telemar- keters selling phony foreign lot- tery tickets frequently target elderly U.S. residents. In high- pressure sales pitches, people are told they've already won money or are virtually guaran- teed to do so, Many of the tick: cts are sold in “pools” hefty price tags. B.C.'s Trade Practice Act has clarified that B.C. laws) protect’ consumers outside the province when they are dealing with B.C. business- es. B Quebce telemarkete Tl Quebce- based 1% “continued to talk ofa lot of cash with promi s. If a friendly strang. the other end of the phone line Promises vou a prize, remem- ber: if you wen it, you don’t have to make a purchase or pay a fee to claim it, and you don't have to Don't give your credit card or chequing account number over the phoue. And keep in mind that there aren’t any legitimate companies who will ask you to pay for a prize. B Bogus ci a" In the busy holiday season, individuals and) organizations representing charitic iu their a ion te a known charity are asking British Columbians for donations and 1 "800-267. 2384 to dete ifan organization is a registered charity. @ Home renovators Renovation horror stori include leaking roofs, crooked walls and falling plaster. Sometimes the cause is incom- petence, but all too often the 0 All Bisplay Light Fixtures OFF oAll Ceramic file shoddy job is the work of scam artists with an cye on quick profits atthe homeowner's expense. W hiring a con- tractor, yet estimates from) at least three companies. Be wary of quick estimates, and don*r be pressured into a hasty deci- won, In British Columbia, con tractors who solicit busin door-to-door must be licens if the contract exceeds $50. Demand identification. & Phony directories and invoic- es Every year, telemarketers persuade British Columbia companies to buy expensive manuals and business dirccto- ries. The scam starts with a phone call to confirm the com- pany’s address and to obtain the name of the purchasing agent or cffice manager. A fol- low-up call to another employ- ee is used to confirm the ord for the directory that is deliv- ered along with a costly invoi In the bogus invoice scam, companies receive what appear to be invoices for goods and services that were never ordered. These look-a-like invoices are actually solicita- tions for your business. Unwary accounts personnel authorize payment. @ Florida time-share travel pro- identif motions fn this scheme, vacation cer- tifcates for holidays in Florida are the “prize” given out in contests or promotions at trade shows and through the mail. But what is supposed te he a free tip can cost hundreds of dollars ~— in U.S. funds. To top it off, the offer is conditional on your attending a time-share sales presentation. When it comes to any travel deal, don’: be taken in by glossy brochures and slick promises. Book through a British Columbia- registered travel agency so you will be protected by the travel assurance fund. E# Bogus employment oppor- tunities Trying to get a job on a craise ship or with an airline? Many advertisements for jobs with these kinds of companies are bogus. Legitimate compa- nics do not hire other compa- nies to sell information about job opportunities. If you want to wok in the mavel business, contact the company you're interested in directly; @ Identity theft It may only be at number nine this year, but identity theft is one of the fascest growing crimes in North America. Identity thieves steal key picces See Identify page 37 istrict 44 outlines Y2K action plans DURING the summer, North Vancouver School District 44 completed a comprehensive inventory of building control systems, computer hardware, computer software, communications equipment, and electronic devices that are date-sensitive. After completing inventory and initial testing, the district . began reviewing all of the results and initiated remediation where required. The Y2K committee, based on the results received from the initial testing and the limited remediation tasks required to date, believes that the district’s equipment and systems will meet be Y2K- -compliant by Jan. 1, 2900. However, in order to ensure a "smooth Year 2000 transition period, the Y2K committee has put a contingency plan i in place: ‘as follows: @ Saturday, Jan 1: staff will be checking building control sys- tems in all locations to make sure that there are no problems, . heating, ventilation, fire alarm, and security systems; Sunday, Jan. 2: staff will be addressing any problematic situ- ations encountered on the previous day and determining the appropriate solutions; | i Monday, Jan. 3: in the case of any problems that cannot be solved by school opening on Tues., Jan. 4, the committee will advise parents and students through the procedures set out in. the board’s Regulation No. 6114.6 — closure of Schools Due to Extreme Weather Conditions. Local radio stations will be advised accordingly and be requested to announce any school. closures, FACULTY OF McetCiNE Tac Sanveasiie oF Brisa Colvnsis SN VANCOUVER Hospital & Wesitt Sereaces Ceatee SMOKERS NEEDED For. RESEARCH PROJECT If you are a regular smoker 40-60 years old and are generally healthy, you may be interest- ed in taking part in out how smoki to emphysema. This UBC Respiratory a research project to find damages the lung and leads project, being done at the Division at Vancouver General Hospital. involves doing breathing ~ less, obtaining a sample of lung washings under local spray anesthesia, and a CT Scan of © the chest. Volunteers will be taking part. ‘compensated $175 for If interested please call 87 5-5698 ; “. for further information He ee