Victoria police issued a warning Friday after the number of reports of the “Canada Revenue scam” increased sharply. Here are some tips from the Canada Revenue Agency and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre about how to recognize the scam, and what you should do if you receive a call.
What they say
In the scam, someone claiming to work for the Canada Revenue Agency calls. If no one answers the phone, the caller might leave a message.
The person says that a debt is owed to the agency, and threatens court charges, jail or deportation unless a payment is made immediately.
The debt is fictitious.
The number that appears in the caller ID may be falsified.
What they want
The caller will try to persuade the victim to pay over the phone using a credit card or to purchase a prepaid credit card and call back with the information.
The danger
These calls could result in identity and financial theft.
What you should do
• Hang up.
• Do not take immediate action to pay the callers or give them any information. Verify that what you are being told is the truth.
• Contact the CRA to confirm that you owe money, before providing any personal or banking information.
• If you want to confirm the authenticity of a Canada Revenue Agency telephone number, call the CRA.
The number for business-related calls is 1-800-959-5525. The number for individual concerns is 1-800-959-8281.
• Report the call to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
If in doubt, ask yourself:
• Is there a reason that the Canada Revenue Agency may be calling? • Do I have a tax balance outstanding?
• Is the requester asking for information I would not include with my tax return?
• Is the requester asking for information I know the CRA already has on file for me?
• How did the requester get my email address or telephone number?
• Am I confident I know who is asking for the information?
Source: Canada Revenue Agency and Victoria Police Department
