Close X
Saturday, November 30, 2024
ADVT 
National

RCMP and CRA Warn That Variations Of The Taxpayer Scam Keep Victimizing Canadians

Darpan News Desk Darpan, 16 Jul, 2016 12:51 PM
  • RCMP and CRA Warn That Variations Of The Taxpayer Scam Keep Victimizing Canadians
The RCMP and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) are warning again about the “taxpayer scam” as Canadians continue to be victimized almost daily.
 
Pushy scammers impersonate CRA employees and demand either personal information or payment for a made-up fee or back taxes. They will threaten arrest – or worse – if the fee is not paid immediately. Scammers also alter parts of their story in the hopes of victimizing more Canadians. In the latest variation, scammers ask that the payment be made via iTunes cards.
 
“To date in 2016, almost two million dollars has been reported lost by 590 individuals,” says Assistant Commissioner Todd Shean, who leads the RCMP’s Federal Policing Special Services.  “And if only 5 percent of victims report their losses, we can assume that the actual total amount lost to this scam is much, much higher.”
 
 
The RCMP and CRA remind Canadians to follow several steps to ensure their personal information remains confidential and to avoid being duped by these scammers.
 
“The CRA will never request prepaid cards, ask for information about your passport, health card or driver’s licence, or leave personal information on your answering machine,” says the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue. “Before taking any action, taxpayers should always verify their tax account by checking My Account via the secure CRA portal or by contacting the CRA at 1 800 959-8281. This information, including examples of real scam telephone calls and e-mails, can be easily found on the CRA website.”
 
If you believe you may be the victim of fraud or have given personal or financial information in error, contact your local police service and your financial institution.
 
 
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) – a partnership between the RCMP, the Competition Bureau and the Ontario Provincial Police – is Canada’s central repository for data, intelligence and resource material on mass marketing fraud. Victims are encouraged to report any scam to the CAFC, either online or by phone toll-free at 1-888-495-8501.

MORE National ARTICLES

Nunavut Baby Death Report Credited For Quick Response To Latest Tragedy

Nunavut Baby Death Report Credited For Quick Response To Latest Tragedy
IQALUIT, Nunavut — The prompt response to the death of a Nunavut infant under medical care is the result of a highly critical report into a previous such tragedy, said the territory's health minister.

Nunavut Baby Death Report Credited For Quick Response To Latest Tragedy

Parking Rate Hike In Vancouver's West End Won't Affect Longtime Residents: City

Parking Rate Hike In Vancouver's West End Won't Affect Longtime Residents: City
It's considering recommendations that could boost the cost of a residents-only parking permit to $50 per month, up from $6 per month.

Parking Rate Hike In Vancouver's West End Won't Affect Longtime Residents: City

Edmonton Doctor Ismail Taher Sentenced To 30 Days In Jail For Groping Co-Worker

Edmonton Doctor Ismail Taher Sentenced To 30 Days In Jail For Groping Co-Worker
Ismail Taher, who is 38, was also given two years probation. The woman said he touched her breasts and buttocks in 2013.

Edmonton Doctor Ismail Taher Sentenced To 30 Days In Jail For Groping Co-Worker

Pedestrian Struck in Hit And Run Collision By South Asian Male in Abbotsford

Pedestrian Struck in Hit And Run Collision By South Asian Male in Abbotsford
29-year-old male had been walking northbound in a marked crosswalk when he was struck by a left-turning, dark blue, newer sedan driven by an older South Asian male. 

Pedestrian Struck in Hit And Run Collision By South Asian Male in Abbotsford

Fentanyl A Main Cause In Surge In B.C. Drug Deaths This Year

Statistics from the coroner's service show there were 371 deaths in the first six months of this year, about a 74 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.

Fentanyl A Main Cause In Surge In B.C. Drug Deaths This Year

Langley Police Need Your Help To Find Missing Woman

Langley Police Need Your Help To Find Missing Woman
Nicole SATTLER is 29 years old and was last seen by family on May 5th of this year.

Langley Police Need Your Help To Find Missing Woman