Once again police are receiving reports of local taxpayers are being targeted by fraudsters claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
In an attempt to get money or personal information from the taxpayer, the scam artist threatens and uses aggressive and forceful language in an attempt to scare someone into paying a fake debt. The fraudster requests immediate payment and threatens the taxpayer with arrest, court charges, jail or deportation.
In the past, the fraudster will request paymnet by pre-paid cards to settle the alleged debt. Once the card numbers and security number have been sent to the fraudster, there is no recourse for compensation.
Police want to remind citizens that the CRA will never requests prepaid credit cards to be used to settle a debt or request information such as passport, health card or driver's licence numbers. It is important for individuals to protect their private information.
Retailers are asked to be attentive for individuals that are purchasing large amounts of pre-paid cards as they may be victims of a scam.
More information located at:
http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/fraud-escroquerie/types/tax-contribuable/index-eng.htm