Fraud Prevention Month Post-campaign Public Opinion Research

Agency

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, the Textile Labelling Act and the Precious Metals Marking Act. Its role is to promote and maintain fair competition so that all Canadians can benefit from competitive prices, product choice and quality services.

The Competition Bureau chairs the Fraud Prevention Forum, a partnership composed of about 80 private sector, not-for-profit, government and law enforcement organizations who are committed to fighting fraud aimed at consumers and businesses. Since 2004, the Forum has launched an annual Fraud Prevention Month campaign during the month of March to help Canadians protect themselves from becoming victims of fraud by educating them on how to "Recognize it, Report it, and Stop it."

Rationale

Research for and evaluation of programs and services is a requirement of the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada. Public opinion research supports the development and implementation of departmental policies, programs and services designed to meet the needs and expectations of Canadians.

The key objective of this research is to evaluate current fraud awareness among Canadians and the effectiveness of the 2007 Fraud Prevention Month outreach efforts. In April 2007, The Strategic Counsel surveyed 1,000 Canadians to gauge public attitudes and experiences with respect to:

• awareness of mass marketing fraud and identity theft;
• perceived seriousness of various fraudulent marketing activities;
• victimization rates;
• responses to fraud prevention messages; and
• awareness of PhoneBusters (the Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre).

Results are compared against findings from similar studies conducted in 2005 and 2006.

Anticipated Outcomes

Research results will assist Fraud Prevention Forum partners in identifying target audiences and the necessary outreach efforts for Fraud Prevention Month 2008.

Research Information

Quantitative:

Findings are based on a proportional national telephone survey of 1,000 Canadians, aged 18 years and older, conducted April 5 to April 15, 2007. At the national level, findings have an associated margin of error of +/-3.1%, 19 times out of 20. Most questions from this survey have been reproduced from those of the 2006 study, with a few exceptions.

Research Firm: The Strategic Counsel
Contract Number: U3850-062656/001/CY
Contract issued by: Public Works and Government Services Canada
Contract value: $28,871.73 (GST Included)

Final Report to The Competition Bureau — Findings from a Survey of Canadians: Post-Test of the Fraud Prevention Month Campaign, June 2007