Canadian 'Sugging' Victims Now in Minority

Four in ten Canadians have been approached by telemarketers masquerading as market researchers to sell products or raise money, according to the second VoxPop surveys by the MRIA. However, the association says the practise has declined slightly since 2005.

The MRIA (Marketing and Research Intelligence Association) says the practise threatens the goodwill people generally have for opinion research and points out that sugging (Soliciting Under the Guise of Interviewing) and mugging (Marketing Under the Guise of Interviewing) - carry a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison.

The MRIA has worked with Canadian legislators to stop sugging and mugging, and a similar study by MRIA released in 2005 found that 53% of Canadians had experienced sugging in the previous year (www.mrweb.com/drno/news3975.htm ).

'The 12% decrease over the past two years in these destructive telemarketing practices is good news, but what is needed is greater public awareness of the problem and how to stop it,' said VoxPop spokesperson, Brendan Wycks, Executive Director of MRIA.

Wycks added that any attempt to sell or raise money following a survey request is a scam, and people who receive such calls should immediately report the company's name and, if possible, its phone number to PhoneBusters, a national anti-fraud call centre.

People can verify the legitimacy and nature of the research they are being asked to participate in by asking for the survey's registration code or calling a toll-free number (1-800-554-9996) for information on the research project. MRIA member research firms will provide this information upon request, along with contact information for the research director who is conducting the study.

The MRIA launched the first VoxPop survey earlier this month to promote industry standards and encourage Canadians to participate in opinion research (www.mrweb.com/drno/news7520.htm ). At the time, 81% felt surveys and polls serve a useful purpose and 74% agreed that participation in surveys enables people to influence public policy issues.

'Canadians overwhelmingly maintain a high regard for survey research, but deceptive telemarketing practices threaten that goodwill,' added Wycks.

Founded in 2004, the association represents all aspects of the market intelligence and survey research industry, and members include more than 1,800 practitioners, small to large research houses, and buyers of research services. Its home page is at www.mria-arim.ca.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.