Beware of scammers impersonating the Canada Revenue Agency
\nRCMP and CRA raise awareness about ongoing email and phone scams<\/p>\n
February 11, 2016 Ottawa, Ontario Canada Revenue Agency<\/p>\n
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) are warning Canadians about an ongoing scam in which taxpayers across the country receive phone calls or emails from individuals impersonating CRA employees. These people are scammers.<\/p>\n
The scammers tell taxpayers that they either owe money to the CRA or have a tax refund. Taxpayers are threatened with arrest or jail time if they do not take immediate action and provide money or personal or financial information.<\/p>\n
Quick facts
\nThe RCMP plays a crucial role in educating the public about scams, and has a number of programs in place to track fraud, including one run by the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC).
\nThe CAFC monitors all types of scams, and warns Canadians to be on the lookout for scammers during the upcoming tax season.
\nThe RCMP also works closely with the CRA to raise awareness about tax-related scams.
\nWhen CRA employees call taxpayers, they follow established procedures to ensure personal information is protected.
\nTo confirm the authenticity of a call, contact the CRA by using its official telephone number for individual tax enquiries: 1-800-959-8281.
\nYou can also verify your individual tax account through a secure CRA portal: My Account.
\nIf 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.
\nQuotes
\n\u201cThe CRA takes these matters very seriously and provides substantial information to Canadians about how to protect themselves from scams undertaken using the CRA\u2019s name. Informing yourself is particularly important during the tax filing season, when such scams peak.\u201d This information, including examples of real scam telephone calls and e-mails, can be easily found on the CRA website.<\/p>\n
– Diane Lebouthillier, P.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue
\n\u201cScammers are always looking for new ways to get your money or your personal information. The RCMP works every day to track down fraudsters and bring them to justice, but raising awareness about fraud is also important as it is one of the most effective ways of protecting Canadians from scammers. The more you know about a specific fraud, the less likely you\u2019ll be a victim of that fraud.<\/p>\n
– Todd Shean, Assistant Commissioner, RCMP\u2019s Federal Policing Special Services<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Beware of scammers impersonating the Canada Revenue Agency RCMP and CRA raise awareness about ongoing email and phone scams February 11, 2016 Ottawa, Ontario Canada Revenue Agency The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) are warning Canadians about an ongoing scam in which taxpayers across the country receive phone calls …<\/p>\n