WINNIPEG, MB. – The Winnipeg Police are warning people of a telephone or e-mail “Tax Scam” that they have received reports on recently.

Police said, the fraudsters will call pretending to be the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) by either telephone or e-mail. The fraudsters will try to obtain your personal information and will then tell you that you have outstanding taxes. Unfortunately they are often very aggressive even going as far as saying that they have the police are on the way to your door to arrest you if you don’t pay immediately.

These fraudsters seem to target new Canadians as they are not as familiar with the Canadian tax or justice system.

During a call the fraudster will suddenly realize how you can immediately pay your outstanding taxes by going to a store and purchasing a prepaid credit or gift card or by going to a money transfer business. Once the fraudster has the details about the card or the transfer the money is gone, often out of Canada, and cannot be recovered.

Here are some “Tips” to remember:

• The Canada Revenue Agency has your identity information and will not use the phone to solicit it.
• The CRA will never ask you to purchase gift cards or to attend a money transfer business.
• If you do receive a phone call, contact the CRA, with a phone number that you look up, to confirm the details.

The Manitoba Post

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