UFVRD: RCMP is warning the public to remain mindful of criminals posing as Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) employees to steal money.
“We remind everyone these thieves will target potential victims by telephone or email, at home or in the workplace,” warns Corporal Mike Rail spokesperson for the UFVRD.
The scam follows a pattern where an unexpected contact is received from a fraudster claiming to be a representative of the CRA. As the fraud unfolds, the caller aggressively attempts to solicit the victim’s credit information to either demand an overdue tax payment or refund money.
Tips to protect yourself from being a victim of tax fraud:
- CRA officials will not ask for personal information by email.
- CRA does not request payment by prepaid credit cards.
- CRA does not threaten a client with court charges, jail or, deportation.
To confirm you have been contacted by a CRA representative the public is encouraged to call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 for individual concerns or 1-800-959-5525 for business – related calls.
Learn how to protect yourself from being a victim by visiting bcrcmp (http://bc.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=2081&languageId=1&contentId=13604) or CRA (https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/security/protect-yourself-against-fraud.html) or Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFA) (http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm ) on line.
