How do I report suspected telemarketing fraud in Burnaby?

Collect evidence and submit a complaint to Burnaby Bylaw Enforcement via the City reporting portal or phone; follow up with your payment provider and consider reporting to provincial consumer-protection authorities.

Do telemarketers need a Burnaby business licence?

Businesses conducting telemarketing in Burnaby should check licence requirements with City Licensing; details and specific licence classes are provided on the City business-licence page.

What compensation or fines can victims expect?

Monetary penalties and compensation are not specified on the cited City pages; consumer remedies may also be available through provincial schemes.

Burnaby Telemarketing & Online Sales Anti-Fraud Guide

Business and Consumer Protection British Columbia 3 Minutes Read · published May 24, 2026

· By Daniel Roy

In Burnaby, British Columbia, businesses and consumers must navigate municipal licensing and bylaw enforcement alongside provincial consumer protections when addressing telemarketing and online-sales fraud. This guide explains how local rules are enforced, what common violations look like, and practical steps for reporting, compliance and remediation. It draws on City of Burnaby enforcement and licensing resources and points to provincial consumer-protection channels so businesses can reduce risk and consumers can seek remedies.

Legal framework and scope

Telemarketing and online-sales conduct may engage Burnaby business-licence requirements and bylaw regulations enforced by the City’s Bylaw Enforcement unit. Businesses operating in Burnaby should hold the appropriate business licence and follow municipal rules for advertising, signage and solicitations as set out by the City.Report a bylaw concern^[1] Broad consumer protections and specific telemarketing provisions may also apply at the provincial level.

Keep licence records and transaction evidence for twelve months where possible.

Penalties & Enforcement

The City of Burnaby enforces municipal bylaws through Bylaw Enforcement and may require compliance, issue tickets, or pursue provincial offences where applicable. Specific monetary penalty amounts and escalation schedules for telemarketing or online-sales fraud are not specified on the cited City pages and must be confirmed with the enforcing office.Business licence information^[2]

Fines: not specified on the cited page; contact Bylaw Enforcement for current ticket amounts.
Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offences - not specified on the cited page; the City may pursue additional orders or prosecutions.
Non-monetary sanctions: compliance orders, cease-and-desist notices, seizure of advertising materials, or referral to provincial authorities.
Enforcer: Bylaw Enforcement unit handles complaints and initial inspections; formal complaints are submitted online or by phone via the City reporting page.Report a bylaw concern^[1]
Appeals and review: not specified on the cited page; appeals of municipal tickets typically follow provincial or municipal ticket appeal procedures—confirm timelines with the issuing office.

If you suspect ongoing fraud, document dates, amounts and communications before reporting.

Applications & Forms

The primary municipal form relevant to businesses is the Burnaby business licence application. Specific licence classes, fees and submission methods are posted on the City licence pages; fees and detailed application forms are not specified on the cited City page and should be confirmed on the City site or by contacting Licensing.Business licence information^[2]

Business licence application: check the City web page for class, fee and submission instructions.
Complaint submission: use the City online reporting form or phone Bylaw Enforcement for urgent matters.

Practical compliance steps for businesses

Obtain and display the correct Burnaby business licence for telemarketing or online sales activities.
Maintain clear records of consents, scripts, advertising, receipts and transaction logs for at least 12 months.
Adopt written policies on do-not-call requests, refund/cancellation terms, and verifiable consent for electronic communications.
Provide clear contact and complaint channels for customers and respond promptly to inquiries.

Transparent consent and clear receipts reduce disputes and enforcement risk.

Common violations

Unlicensed commercial solicitation or operating without a business licence.
Misleading advertising, false claims about products or refunds.
Failure to honour cancellation or refund terms stated to consumers.

Action steps for consumers

Gather evidence: call records, screenshots, receipts and communication logs.
Report the issue to Burnaby Bylaw Enforcement using the City reporting page and keep your report number.
Contact your payment provider or bank to dispute charges when appropriate.

FAQ

How do I report suspected telemarketing fraud in Burnaby?: Collect evidence and submit a complaint to Burnaby Bylaw Enforcement via the City reporting portal or phone; follow up with your payment provider and consider reporting to provincial consumer-protection authorities.
Do telemarketers need a Burnaby business licence?: Businesses conducting telemarketing in Burnaby should check licence requirements with City Licensing; details and specific licence classes are provided on the City business-licence page.
What compensation or fines can victims expect?: Monetary penalties and compensation are not specified on the cited City pages; consumer remedies may also be available through provincial schemes.

How-To

Document the fraud: save messages, screenshots, transaction records and call logs.
Contact your bank or payment provider to request a reversal or dispute the charge.
Report the issue to Burnaby Bylaw Enforcement using the City reporting page and retain the report number.
File a complaint with provincial consumer-protection authorities if the matter involves deceptive practices.

Key Takeaways

Maintain required Burnaby licences and clear consent records.
Document incidents and report promptly to municipal enforcement and your payment provider.