The RCMP says that the Canada Revenue Agency scam is happening again.
This time it looks like some victims have received calls from someone posing as a police officer, who demanded a money transfer to pay money owed in taxes.
Get educated about how the scam works and protect yourself! Here is some information from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) website about how the scams often work:
-Fraudsters are calling consumers impersonating the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and claiming that a recent audit has identified discrepancies from past filed taxes. Repayment is required immediately.
-Fraudsters threaten consumers that failure to pay will result in additional fees, jail time and/or deportation. Fraudsters may request payment via money service business, pre-paid cards / gift cards (iTunes) or bitcoin.
-Consumers receive an email or text message indicating a refund is pending from the CRA. The email includes a link that directs consumers to a website that looks like the actual CRA.
-Consumers are asked to fill in their personal information such as Social Insurance Number (SIN), Date of Birth (DOB) and banking information before receiving the refund (email money transfer).
-Victims who input their personal information are subject to identity fraud. No refund is ever issued.
Warning Signs – How to Protect Yourself
Always confirm who has contacted you and who you are dealing with.
Never provide personal information over the telephone, by text or email.
Contact the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 or check My Account to confirm if you owe back taxes or are entitled to a refund.
The CRA would never request payment by money service business, iTunes gift cards or bitcoin.
For more information about frauds involving the CRA, visit the Canada Revenue Agency.
If you’ve shared personal information, contact Equifax and Trans Union to place fraud alerts on your account.
If you’ve shared banking information with the scammers, contact your financial institution to place alerts on your account.
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