“We have been receiving a lot of calls from citizens in the area about fraudulent calls they are receiving from ‘Revenue Canada,’” said Cst. Taunya Kondratoff of the Canora/Sturgis RCMP detachment.
The scam that starts with “If you don’t pay your unpaid taxes you will be arrested” is fraudulent and residents need to be careful not to become a victim, she said.
Numerous Saskatchewan RCMP detachments have received calls from concerned citizens regarding a specific telephone scam, Kondratoff said.
“In one instance, an individual calls the victim’s residence, claiming to be a con-stable/officer with the RCMP and advises the victim that they have a warrant for their arrest for tax-related reasons. The caller claims to be calling on behalf of the Canada Revenue Agency and attempts to collect payment for unpaid taxes over the telephone,” she said.
In another instance, an individual calls the victim’s residence, claiming to be an employee with “Revenue Canada” or the Canada Revenue Agency and threatens to send the RCMP to arrest the victim if he/she did not pay unpaid taxes, Kondratoff said.
Anyone that receives a similar call from someone claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency or someone calling on their behalf is encouraged to not provide any personal information and to end the call, she said.
“Remember: If it sounds suspicious, it likely is. If it’s too good to be true, it likely is,” Kondratoff said. “Never provide your personal information, including credit card or payment information over the phone to someone you don’t know.”
More information on how to protect your-self against fraud, including how to recognize a scam and examples of fraudulent communications, is available at the Canada Revenue Agency website.
Kondratoff suggests residents also check the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre at 1-888-654-9426 and the SeniorBusters Program at 1-888-495-8501
