Keep your money safe and be aware of scammers posing as Canada Revenue Agency employees.
The Penticton RCMP is receiving up to 40 reports daily from local citizens advising that they are receiving harassing and threatening phone calls from people posing as employees of the Canada Revenue Agency who are demanding money.
The scammers often tell the victim that they have committed tax fraud. They will say that there is a warrant for their arrest and unless money is wired to them or prepaid credit card codes are supplied, the police will be coming to arrest them.
Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth said citizens should be aware that the Canada Revenue Agency will never ask for any kind of payment to be wired to them or for prepaid credit cards. He added people should hang up on these callers and consider blocking the number if they repeatedly call back.
Alternately, scammers are posing as Canada Revenue Agency employees and advising citizens that they have a tax refund and then ask for all of their personal information. This information can then be used in identity theft situations.
Wrigglesworth said it is important to tell family members who may not have heard about this scam.
“Have a conversation with people who may not have access to the internet. The more people that know about this scam, the better. People from every walk of life can be affected so spread the word that these scams are happening,” he said.
If you suspect that you have been contacted by a scammer, note the phone number on call display and contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center, toll free at 1-888-495-8501 or on-line at CAFC Fraud Reporting.