Canadians continue to get phone calls by scammers claiming to be the Canada Revenue Agency, demanding private information over the phone, with some asking for payment in iTunes cards.
Callers will receive an automated recording informing them there is some sort of criminal case against them and legal action may be taken. They are then told to call back a number over their unknown tax issue or face consequences.
The Victoria Police Department advised residents the phone calls have been making their way around the Capital Regional District lately, and advised to never divulge your personal information over the phone.
We're seeing several reports of the CRA scam occurring in #yyj. Please take steps to protect yourself and know that the @CanRevAgency will not contact you by phone, email or text and threaten arrest. More info here: https://t.co/t9a9oLRRlJ
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) July 24, 2018
Others have also been receiving these CRA scammer calls, which are totally bogus:
Just got a call from @CanRevAgency that there is about to be an arrest warrant issued in my name if I don't return their phone call.
1) @CRTCeng: what's the plan for dealing with this?
2) I barely call back my friends and family. Good luck, robot spammer.— Laura Tribe (@ltribe) July 23, 2018
Finally I got one of those fake CRA scam messages. I'm going to have some fun with it. I wonder how many gift cards they will want me to buy…
— Alex Drake (@T4Alex) July 23, 2018
Beware of CRA scammer who calls with Squamish RCMP number on display https://t.co/Mgzn75P2o7
— Daniele Halle (@halle_daniele) July 23, 2018
Some of these callers are also able to spoof their caller ID to make it look like they are calling from the CRA, which is not the case.
The videos below a Calgary police officer calling back a scammer, and also a video example of what these calls may sound like:
According to the CRA, they will never request personal or financial information from you over the phone or email, or ask you visit a website to make a payment or enter your confidential info.
If you believe you may have been a victim to one of these scams, the CRA advises you to call your local police service. You can also report ‘deceptive telemarketing’ to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or by calling 1-888-495-8501.
Last month, it was reported numerous Vancouver residents fell victim to these CRA scams, with one man making $2,000 in payments via iTunes gift cards, while others lost upwards of $18,000.
