The RCMP from Ottawa are concerned about the infamous “tax scam” fraud circulating in Alberta and are calling attention to the problem.
“The Alberta RCMP continues to receive reports of Albertans being targeted by this scam and would appreciate the media's help in raising public awareness on this issue in communities throughout the province,” stated a press release from RCMP HQ in Ottawa dated Feb. 11.
“Anyone who believes they may have been victimized by this scam or who has given out personal or financial information in error, is advised to contact their local police service and their financial institution.
“The 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.
“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.
The federal minister responsible for CRA also commented. “The CRA takes these matters very seriously and provides substantial information to Canadians about how to protect themselves from scams undertaken using the CRA's name. Informing yourself is particularly important during the tax filing season, when such scams peak," said the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue. This information, including examples of real scam telephone calls and e-mails, can be easily found on the CRA web site.
"Scammers are always looking for new ways to get your money or your personal information," warns Assistant Commissioner Todd Shean, who leads the RCMP's Federal Policing Special Services. "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'll be a victim of that fraud."
“The 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),” stated the press release. “The CAFC monitors all types of scams, and warns Canadians to be on the lookout for scammers during the upcoming tax season. The RCMP also works closely with the CRA to raise awareness about tax-related scams.
“When CRA employees call taxpayers, they follow established procedures to ensure personal information is protected. To confirm the authenticity of a call, contact the CRA by using its official telephone number for individual tax enquiries: 1-800-959-8281. You can also verify your individual tax account through a secure CRA portal: My Account.
Pipestone Flyer readers should remember the federal government will never threaten to send police to arrest you over an unpaid tax bill, especially over the phone.
The RCMP note if you believe you may be the victim of fraud or have given personal or financial information in error, contact your local police service (Wetaskiwin or Leduc) and your financial institution.