The Steveston Village Community Website

elcome to the Steveston Village Community Website! As the foremost authority on business and tourism in Steveston BC, we provide a wealth of information on enterprises and activities within historic Steveston. Browse around and have fun!

Celebrating 10 year of service to the Historic Village of Steveston

GULF OF GEORGIA CANNERY NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE - Closed for the season but ...

GULF OF GEORGIA CANNERY SOCIETY - CALL FOR NEW DIRECTORS
The Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society is currently seeking new Board members for two-year terms. In 2004 the Society celebrated 10 years of operating the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, owned by Parks Canada.. The Administration Building is open year round with 6 full time staff, which increases to 20 during our open season. As we continue to grow, our need for experienced leaders in the field of Marketing, Finance, Accounting and Fundraising is ever increasing. We are seeking dynamic, forward thinking people who are interested in working closely to “preserve and present the history of Canada’s West Coast fishing industry”. The current volunteer Board of Directors is very active in policymaking and governance of the Cannery. Successful applicants will be expected to participate in committee meetings of their choice as well as attend regular monthly board meetings. Previous Board or community work experience not necessary, but an asset. Please submit your letter of interest and resume by fax or email to: Sue Girling, Immediate Past Chair, Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society. 12138 Fourth Avenue, Richmond, B.C. V7E 3J1 or
email: sunor@steveston.bc.ca fax: 604-664-9008

DO YOU ENJOY MEETING PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD? Are you proud of your community, and would like to share this with others? If you answered yes, why not volunteer at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site!
The non-profit society that runs the Cannery is looking for enthusiastic people to help deliver tours, programming and assist in our gift shop. If you would like to help, call Rob at 604.664.9134 or e-mail gog.info@pc.gc.ca

Rob Hart
Marketing Co-ordinator
Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society
12138 Fourth Avenue
Richmond, BC V7E 3J1
t: 604.664.9134

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Head Interpreter
Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site of Canada

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society is currently receiving applications for the position of Head Interpreter for the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site 2007 season. The Site will be open to the public from May 5 to October 8.

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society operates this Parks Canada site situated in the original 1894 cannery building in Steveston (Richmond). The site opened to the public in 1994 and commemorates the development of Canada’s West Coast fishing industry. We receive approximately 20,000 visitors/year and host special events and temporary exhibits throughout the season.

HEAD INTERPRETER POSITION:
- Supervises seasonal staff; reports to Public Programs Manager and to the Site Manager
- Responsible for seasonal staff schedules and payroll preparation
- Assists in preparation of mid-season and year-end evaluations of seasonal staff
- Responsible for communicating safety or maintenance issues to maintenance officer
- Delivers interpretive programs and activities, including public tours
- Delivers school programs and special events
- Interacts informally with visitors, responding appropriately to complaints and inquiries

This position requires excellent communication skills, supervisory experience, experience working with the public and in a team environment. History, tourism, museums, theatre and/or fisheries background an asset, as well as bilingualism (French/English) and/or fluency in other languages. This position may share front desk duties of cash handling and tour bookings. This is a full-time, seasonal position (May through October), with part-time hours available during March, April and November.

SALARY: $14.00/hour
HOURS: Hours will be 37- 40/week. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays. Hire is conditional upon security check.

Mark Sakai, Site Manager
Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society
12138 Fourth Ave
Richmond, BC V7E 3J1
fax: 604-664-9008; email: mark.sakai@pc.gc.ca

The Society thanks all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Job Description:
The Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society is a not-for-profit organization and registered charity, with a mission to “Preserve and Present the History of Canada’s West Coast Fishing Industry”. The Society operates the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site of Canada through a contract with Parks Canada. The Society is responsible for the site’s day-to-day operations, which include temporary exhibits, public programming, special events, marketing, visitor services, heritage interpretation, maintenance, archives and collections management, gift shop operation and administration.

The Society has an opening for a Public Programs Manager. This is a full-time, year round position. Occasional evenings or weekends may be required. This position is for a one-year term, including a three month probationary period, with subsequent review and possible conversion to a permanent position.

Responsibilities:
Delivers, evaluates and upgrades the site’s public programs, including school and ESL programs and explores potential new programming opportunities; Develops and plans special events; Identifies, recruits and maintains communication with community partners; Conducts recruitment, training and evaluation of the site’s seasonal interpretive staff; Trains and supervises public program volunteers; Prepares grant applications for the development of new programs; and Prepares a yearly budget, report and development plan.

Required Knowledge, Abilities and Skills
Demonstrated ability to write successful grant applications. Ability to multi-task, combined with a highly developed sense of time management skills. Very strong organizational and communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team environment. Networking skills and the ability to build community bonds. Creative visionary, self-starting skills and ability to reach goals. Innovative mind and ability to work within a tight time frame and budget. Experience within a not-for-profit environment an asset.
Bilingualism (English & French) an asset.

Qualifications:
Academic background in a field related to the position, such as museum studies, history, education or fine arts. A minimum of three years of experience in the development and delivery of public programming and/or supervision of seasonal staff, preferably related to heritage presentation.

Closing date:
5:00pm P.S.T., February 12, 2007
How to Apply:
Please send resumé and covering letter to:
Mark Sakai, Manager
Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society
12138 Fourth Avenue
Richmond, BC V7E 3J1
Fax: 604-664-9008
Email: mark.sakai@pc.gc.ca

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

We have officially announced our annual �Wine and Seafood Festival� to be held at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site by the Steveston Hotel on April 27th 2007.

Tickets should be available by end of February for $50. Contact Steveston Rotarians for tickets or http://www.stevestonrotary.org/ for more info.

Are you a new mom? Are you looking to get back into shape? Do you want to meet other new moms?

Then.....Stroller Strides is your Solution! Stroller Strides classes consist of a Power Walk and body toning exercises using your stroller and your baby. In 60 minutes, you will get a total body workout improving your cardiovascular endurance, your strength and your flexibility. Whether you're a beginner or an expert exerciser, Stroller Strides can provide you with your ideal workout. It's up to you to create the intensity, but we will create the fun!

Stroller Strides is a unique workout that you can do with your baby! Make new friends, get in shape and watch your baby love every moment of it! Baby will love the interaction and the action of Stroller Strides! It's a total workout combining cardio, strength and flexibility using your stroller, your baby and the environment. We turn the outdoors into a total gym!

Monday & Wednesday - meet on the NE corner of Moncton & No 1Rd at 11:00am
Saturdays @ 9:00am
Tuesday & Thursday – meet on SE corner of Francis & No 1Rd (Hugh Boyd) at 9:30am
Tuesday & Thursday – meet at South Arm Park @ 11:00am
We are also conducting a learn to run 5km clinic on Tuesday nights at 7:00.

See the website for more information! http://www.strollerstrides.net/vancouver, or contact me directly at Anne-Louise Parry (604) 880-1142
Anne-Louise Parry, Stroller Strides Steveston, BC, 800.467.9576, Helping Moms Make Strides In Fitness, Motherhood and Life

The Steveston Museum Society would like to remind all Businesses and residents about the services they offer. Buy your stamps through the Steveston Post Office that the Post Office is run by the Society and all proceeds are used to operate the Museum. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MUSEUM.

Offers Tax Clinic Training Workshop on Thursday, February 1, from 9:00am to 4:30pm at the Richmond Caring Place Room 340. After taking this workshop, you'll be able to help low-income people for filing income tax. This FREE workshop will be held in English and registration is required. For more information or registration, please contact Ashok or Yoshimi at 604-279-7165.

Richmond Multicultural Concerns Society will offer LEAD Program for Immigrant Women from Tuesday, February 6. This program will take place every Tuesdays and Thursdays afternoon (12:30pm - 2:30pm) for 3 months.

The goal of LEAD is to assist immigrant women to gain confidence in their ability to participate in an English-speaking Canadian context and to become involved in the community in a way which is meaningful and relevant to them. The program is open to immigrant women who wish to share their experiences with other women as they grow and learn together. You need to have enough English to take part in group discussion.
If you and / or your friends are interested to attend this program, please come to an orientation session for LEAD Program on Tuesday, January 30, from 12:30 pm at the Richmond Caring Place Room 345/50.
More information, please contact Yoshimi at (604) 279-7160 or yoshimi@rmcs.bc.ca.
We are looking forward to seeing you on January 30!

Richmond Multicultural Concerns Society will offer English Conversation Class from January 16 until the end of June. This class will be on every Tuesday morning (9:30am - 12:00pm). The fee is $50 ($45 material fee and $5 membership if you are not member yet).
If you would like more information or registration, please contact Yoshimi at 604-279-7160 / yoshimi@rmcs.bc.ca or visit our office at:
Richmond Multicultural Concerns Society
210-7000 Minoru Boulevard
Richmond BC V6Y 3Z5
We are open from Monday to Thursday, 9:00am to 5:00pm and registration is now accepted until Monday, January 15. Space are limited and will be given "first come first serve" basis.
We are looking forward to hearing from you soon!

BRITANNIA HERITAGE SHIPYARDS - SPRING PROGRAMS To register, phone 604-276-4300

Kayaking Presentation
Rod Tait (Orca Boats), a builder of wooden kayaks and canoes, has an informative slide presentation and demonstration on how to build your own canoe or kayak. For a sneak preview, visit www.orcaboats.ca
BN23200 Tuesday, May 15 (7 - 8 pm)
$5/person (16+yrs)

Asian Elements of Britannia Guided Walk (FREE)
Learn the stories behind the Murakami House and Boatworks, Richmond Boatworks, Chinese Bunkhouse, and the Japanese Duplex buildings at Britannia Shipyard National Historic Site.
BN23000 Tuesday, May 22 (7 - 8 pm) - English
BN23100 Tuesday, May 22 (7 - 8 pm) - Cantonese
All Ages (Children must be accompanied by an adult.)

Island City by Bike (FREE!!)
Join a guided bike tour and discover some of Richmond's cycling routes (choice of short and long rides). Pre-ride safety check included with refreshments and raffle prizes at the finish. Presented by the Richmond Community Cycling Committee, the City of Richmond and Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST). For details, contact Joan Caravan at 604-276-4035.
BN25000 Sunday, June 3 (9:30 - 2:30 pm)
10+yrs (Children must be accompanied by an adult.)

Laughter Yoga - Summer Solstice
Welcome the longest day of the year in this outdoor Hatha and Laughter Yoga workshop. All levels welcome. Laughter Yoga Coach, Allan O'Meara will partner with Yoga Instructor, Margie Hardy for an evening of fabulous yoga fun. Light refreshments provided. Please bring a mug for yoga tea.
BN24300 Wednesday, June 20 (6:30 - 9 pm)
$20/1 session (18+yrs)

Britannia Heritage Shipyard Guided Tour
The twelve buildings at Britannia Heritage Shipyard National Historic Site tell many stories about the Chinese, European, First Nations and Japanese workers at the Britannia Cannery and Shipyard.
BN27000 Friday, June 8 (1 - 2:30 pm)
$3/1 session (55+yrs)

Being Green with Science World - Aberdeen Centre (FREE)
Join Science World staff for hands-on activities and challenges. Explore some keys concerns our planet faces every day. Discuss questions about the environment and discover some of the small things we can do to help.
BN25100 Sunday, May 6 (1:30-4:30 pm)
BN25150 Sunday, May 27 (1:30-4:30 pm)
All Ages (Children must be accompanied by an adult.)

SUMMER PROGRAMS
Richmond Maritime Festival (FREE!!)
Maritime fun for the whole family. Featuring boats for your viewing pleasure, maritime displays, demonstrations, activities on the off the water. Volunteers are needed to help plan this fun event or help during the event. Phone Angela Soon at (604) 718-8037 to find out how much fun it is to volunteer at Britannia Shipyard.
Friday, August 17 (12 - 4 pm)
Saturday and Sunday, August 18 and 19 (10 am - 4 pm)
All Ages

Is seeking volunteers for its Crisis Line. Learn effective communication skills, give back to your community, make a difference. Training starts mid-January. Call 604-279-7077 for more information.

Volunteer Richmond Information Services will launch Volunteer Richmond! on February 1, 2007. Volunteer Richmond! is a new online volunteer opportunities database developed by Volunteers Now, a division of 2010 Legacies Now. It’s now the one-stop spot for finding volunteer opportunities in Richmond. Check it out at www.volunteerrichmond.ca.

To advertise your volunteer positions on Volunteer Richmond! phone 604-279-7020 or email info@volunteerrichmond.ca.

Show time 8:00pm, 3rd Thursday of each month. Tickets $7.00 at the door. Children under 12 free.
Murukami Boathouse, Britannia Heritage Shipyard, 5180 Westwater Drive, Steveston BC
Click HERE for a map of the location.

February 15th

Fraser Union

We welcome “Fraser Union” to SFG. Known for their repertoire of Canadian material reflecting the lives, history, and landscapes that make up this country, “Fraser Union” has been a mainstay of the British Columbia folk music scene for many years. Strong vocals from Dan Kenning, Henk Piket, Roger Holdstock, and Barry Truter are accompanied by guitars, mandolins, dobro, and banjo. Don't miss this exciting evening. Come hear songs from their new cd “This Old World”.

March 15th

Rosemary Campbell & Craig McGregor

Come and hear some great guitar. This duo offers a fine selection of swing standards, Latin gems and original tunes, featuring Rosemary's smooth vocals and solid rhythm playing and Craig’s virtuosic guitar solos. Both veteran jazzes', Rosemary is the director of the Moveable Music School and the BC Swing Workshop. Craig is well-known for his sense of humour and musical versatility and is at home in many musical genres. Bring your voices, this music is irresistible!

New Hours of Operation:
Open 7 days a week: 9:00am - 5:00pm*
Closed on Statuary Holidays, except July 1st
*Pending Officer Availability

This is not another “Own Your Own Business” scam. I am retiring after 23 years in business. This is a real case of owning your own business at home in Steveston. If you love Steveston and like meeting exciting new entrepreneurs and supporting your local community groups this may be for you. Only serious enquiries please. http://www.steveston.bc.ca/contact.html

FOR SALE
1. Walker – Sears, heavy duty with seat and 2 baskets, Maroon, adjustable, like new, ($429) $350.

2. Hospital Rolling Bed tray, Like new, ($205.00 US) $150.00

3. Shopping Cart $20.00
4. Fold up Walker, 4 wheel ($60.00) $25.00

5. SuperPole, for easy access in and out of bed, secures to floor and ceiling. ($375.US) $200.00 http://www.rehabmart.com/product/47.htm

Contact: sunor@steveston.bc.ca or 604-275-9452

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE BBB AND TELUS
Hang up when they say “dial 9”
British Columbians targeted by phone scam

The Better Business Bureau of Mainland B.C. (BBB) and TELUS are teaming up to warn BC residents about a local telephone scam where an automated caller promises the recipient a free vacation if they dial ‘9.’

“This is a scam,” said BBB president Lynda Pasacreta. “If you receive a call from someone trying to convince you to dial ‘9’ for any reason, hang up. For that matter, any call from someone claiming you have won a prize in a contest you don’t remember entering is a scam. If it seems too good to be true, it is.”

Calls in this most recent scam come from outside Canada, likely using an automated dialer to push out thousands of calls a day. When a recipient picks up the phone a recorded message claims they have won a trip and asks them to dial ‘9’ to claim it or ‘8’ to be removed from marketing lists. The scam surfaced about two weeks ago, with complaints starting to come in from around British Columbia.

The BBB and TELUS suspect this is a variant of a decades-old ‘dial 9’ scam. If the call comes into a business with a commercial switchboard requiring employees to dial ‘9’ to gain an outside line, going along with the request would give the caller an outside line they can use to make an expensive overseas phone call. If the call comes into a residential line and the recipient dials ‘9’ someone comes on the line and attempts to obtain personal information from them, likely for use in identity theft. Even pressing ‘8’, which the recorded message says will remove you from their distribution list, confirms your phone number and that you are susceptible to this type of marketing, likely resulting in your name being added to other marketing lists.

“Scam artists are always trying something new to take your money away and violate your privacy,” said TELUS chief security officer Gene McLean. “Whether they’re promising a prize, bullying you, or claiming to be a TELUS technician or law enforcement official asking for assistance, the goal is the same and the solution is simple – hang up the phone.”

VANCOUVER: If one of your new year’s resolutions is to get in shape, you may be looking to join a health club. Doing so may bring the benefits of regular exercise, but you should also use solid judgment when selecting a fitness centre.
In 2006, the Better Business Bureau of Mainland BC received over 4,300 inquiries and 73 complaints about fitness centres. Customer concerns vary widely from terms of cancellation to verbal misrepresentation and even sometimes theft of personal belongings. “People clearly need to do their homework before purchasing a fitness membership,” says BBB President Sheila Charneski.

The Better Business Bureau advises you to consider the following tips before joining a fitness club:
Shop around. Compare clubs to find one that matches your interests and your budget. Check the company’s reliability report with the BBB before making a long-term commitment by going to www.bbbvan.org or calling 604-682-2711 (1-888-803-1222 in the Interior). Give yourself time to make your final decision, and don’t cave in to high-pressure sales. A hasty commitment to take advantage of a limited time offer may cost you more in the long run. Read the contract carefully. Get any verbal promises in writing. Determine if you can afford the payments and total cost. Make sure you’re satisfied with the cooling off period and cancellation rights. What happens if you move, lose your job, become sick, or the club relocates or closes? In the event of the latter you may be able to use your membership card at another facility (if the club belongs to a chain or association allowing you to use another gym’s membership for example), but keep in mind your original purchasing decision was not likely to attend a fitness club you’ve never been to, or to a new location that may not be convenient for you.

Inspect the club thoroughly. Go during the hours you would normally visit to determine if the club is overcrowded. Will it take you half an hour to find a parking spot? Are there time limits for using the equipment and, if so, are they enforced fairly? How long can you expect to wait before getting on the treadmill, and when it is your turn are you allowed enough time for an adequate workout? What condition are the exercise machines in? How clean are the facilities and how secure are the washrooms and lockers?

Find out if the club is suitable for you. Are the hours and location convenient? How qualified and helpful is the staff? What sorts of programs and fitness classes are offered to match your lifestyle? Are these programs included in your membership fees or do they cost extra? Assess how often you’re going to use the club and compare the costs of long and short term memberships with drop in visits. Ask your friends and the club’s customers about the gym before you join. Pay by credit card in case the club suddenly closes, but don’t part with any funds before signing a contract. Finally, never sign up with a club that hasn’t opened.

VANCOUVER: This year, learn how you can become a smarter consumer. While schemes and scams take on various forms, they all share common traits. The best defense is knowledge; knowing the danger signs and how to protect yourself can save you time and money. The following list, developed jointly by the Better Business Bureau of Mainland BC, the Competition Bureau of Canada, and the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority of BC, is designed to alert the public about the latest frauds and scams in BC.

1. IDENTITY THEFT
ID thieves may use the following tactics to gain access to your personal information for fraudulent purposes: rummaging through your trash or recycling bin, pretending you need to provide information to collect a prize, stealing your mail, placing bogus newspaper ads for jobs and sending unsolicited e-mails posing as your financial institution or service provider (phishing, spoofing or vishing).

QUICK TIP: Make sure to check your credit report annually with Equifax (www.equifax.ca or 1-800-465-7166) and TransUnion Canada (www.tuc.ca or 1-866-525-0262) to ensure that there have been no unauthorized transactions on your report. Shred any information that contains personal details. Never respond to unsolicited e-mails or phone calls with personal information.

2. OVERPAYMENT SCHEMES
A scammer contacts a seller to purchase goods or services. The scammer sends payment in excess to what is owed and advises the seller to deposit and return the excess funds back to the scammer or a third party. By the time the deposited payment is returned as counterfeit or stolen and charged back to the seller’s account, the scammer has received the funds and the merchandise.

QUICK TIP: Never accept payment for more than your selling price. Never agree to refund the excess to a buyer – a legitimate buyer will not pressure you to do so. After all, why would anyone ever send excess funds? Consider using an independent online payment service. Speak to your credit card service provider to determine what avenues it has to guarantee payment processing.

3. DOOR-TO--DOOR SALES & SCAMS
They come to your door uninvited, offering to renovate your house or sell you a product such as a vacuum cleaner. They take your money and leave you with an overpriced product, shoddy workmanship, or nothing at all. Be very careful when agreeing to purchase anything from a door-to-door salesperson or contractor.

QUICK TIP: Know what you need and take the time to consider any offer. A legitimate salesperson or contractor will give you the time to make the best decision. Get a detailed contract in writing and read the fine print. Check the business out with the BBB. You have the right to cancel door-to-door contracts within the first 10 days for any reason. For information about contract requirements and cancellations or to register a complaint about door-to-door sales or potentially deceptive acts, contact the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority of BC toll free at 1-888-564-9963 or visit www.bpcpa.ca.

4. UNSCRUPULOUS MOVING PRACTICES
Some moving companies have unethical practices that tarnish the industry: charging hidden fees or providing a low estimate and then, at delivery, charging more or holding your goods in storage until you pay.

QUICK TIP: Have the moving company provide a detailed estimate in writing and request a firm quote. Check the company out with the Better Business Bureau. Find out what protection the company will provide you in the case of damaged or missing items and make sure that this information is added to your written agreement.

5. MISLEADING PRIZE OFFERS
By simply filling out a ballot or answering a telephone survey, you may be added to a “suckers list.” Shortly after completing the survey, you may be contacted by someone claiming you have won a free vacation or some other terrific prize. The catch is that in order to collect your prize you must pay a fee, attend a high pressure timeshare seminar or listen to a vacuum cleaner sales presentation. In most cases, you will be responsible for either the travel or accommodation portion of the offer or you’ll find the prize isn’t really a prize at all.

QUICK TIP: Only fill out ballots for companies you know well. Ask questions to determine how your information will be used and whether there are hidden fees. If a prize has any conditions or requires that you pay money, you have not won.

6. LOTTERY & SWEEPSTAKE FRAUD
You just received notification that you are one of the “lucky” cash prize winners. All you have to do to collect your winnings is complete a form with your personal information and send a processing fee plus shipping and handling. Sound familiar? Canadians continue to be bombarded with lottery and sweepstakes scams, all promising huge winnings - with a catch.

QUICK TIP: Responding to one solicitation opens the door to dozens more. Remember, if you’ve won something, it should be free of all charges. To reduce unsolicited mail from companies that belong to the Canadian Marketing Association, call 1-416-391-2362 or visit www.the-cma.org.

7. BOGUS HEALTH & WELLNESS CLAIMS
Fraudulent health treatment claims are a growing concern in the marketplace. They target the most vulnerable consumers such as the overweight and the ill. Beware of too-good-to-be-true advertisements promising “rapid” and “effortless” weight-loss or “miracle cures” and “newly discovered” treatments for disease and illness. These scams are designed to steal your money and they may put your health at risk if proper medical treatment is delayed.

QUICK TIP: Before buying any treatment or medication, consult your physician, pharmacist or other health care professional. Any product that has weight-loss properties must have a Drug Identification Number. Confirm its authenticity by contacting Health Canada at 1-866-225-0709 or visit www.hc-sc.gc.ca. Report any bogus health and wellness claims to the Competition Bureau of Canada at 1-800-348-5358 or at www.competitionbureau.gc.ca.

8. UNSCRUPULOUS USED VEHICLE SALES PRACTICES
False promises made by unscrupulous salespeople to entice consumers to purchase ‘lemons’ puts this category on the list. Complaints to the BBB include verbal misrepresentation of the condition of the vehicle, non-disclosure of previous damage, and claims against the vehicle.

QUICK TIP: Avoid unpleasant surprises by getting the vehicle inspected thoroughly by a mechanic of your choice. Make sure any verbal promises are incorporated into your written agreement. In BC, there is NO cooling off period for the purchase of a vehicle. If you change your mind or are unhappy with a vehicle you have purchased, you are bound to the contract you signed.

9. WORK--AT--HOME SCAMS/BOGUS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
The advertisement reads: “Earn money from the comfort of your home stuffing envelopes, assembling products, or completing surveys.” These work-at-home schemes all have one thing in common: you must pay a fee in order to earn it. In one recent twist, respondents to a “mystery shopping” advertisement are sent a cheque and told to use this as payment for services rendered. They are then told to “shop” the money transfer service of a specific well-known company and complete a survey on their experience. After cashing the cheque and transferring the funds, the victims learn that the cheque has bounced or is counterfeit and they are out the funds they transferred.

Employment services schemes guarantee access to the “unadvertised job market” in Canada or abroad, for a fee. In most cases, the information they send you can be obtained for free from other sources.

QUICK TIP: In BC, it is illegal for an employer to charge money in order to provide employment. Work-at-home companies do not provide a legitimate employment opportunity, nor can their earning claims be substantiated. Watch for unreasonable claims of weekly earnings, non-disclosure of the earnings of typical participants, hefty upfront fees or large inventory purchase requirements with vague return policies. If it sounds too good to be true, look elsewhere. Envelope stuffing schemes quite often turn out to be disguised pyramid schemes.

10. UNWANTED OFFICE SUPPLIES OR BOGUS DIRECTORY ADVERTISING SCAMS
In these scams, one of your employees is misled into purchasing unwanted office supplies or advertising at exorbitant prices. Usually, this scam has three parts – a set-up call, in which the company is contacted for key information about the office equipment it uses or the person to address, followed by an invoice or the unwanted product addressed to that key individual. Lastly, a collection notification is sent which is designed to pressure your company into paying for what was never wanted or needed.

QUICK TIPS: This type of scam preys on new or temporary employees who don’t know who your regular business suppliers are, or companies that pay bills without confirming the order. Make sure your company has centralized accounts payable procedures to confirm all invoices. Train your employees to watch for invoices for products or services not requested.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Lynda Pasacreta, President
Better Business Bureau of Mainland B.C.
(604) 688-8731
president@bbbvan.org
or
Shawn Hall
B.C. TELUS Media Relations
(604) 697-8176
shawn.hall@telus.com