If it sounds suspious, it probably is

Humboldt RCMP have received numerous reports of fraudulent phone calls in the area.

The most recent one was a caller claiming to be from Canada Revenue Agency or Revenue Canada.

In cases reported to Humboldt RCMP, the caller claims the resident has taxes owing and will attempt to collect by getting a credit card number from the resident.

In one instance, said an RCMP news release, the caller, “threatened to send the RCMP to arrest the victim if they did not pay unpaid taxes (whether or not the victim has tax payments up to date).”

Constable Marc Thibodeau with the Humboldt RCMP says that these calls are hard to track, since not everyone reports it when they receive a call. Thibodeau said that the detachment has received at least 15 calls in the last week or two.

Thibodeau said that if you get a call like this, ask lots of questions, get call back numbers, and try to verify that they are who they say they are.

Thibodeau said the RCMP is just a phone call away.

“If in doubt, give us a call and never give out personal information to people you don’t know,” he said.

Things to remember, says Constable Thibodeau:
If it sounds suspicious, it likely is.
If it’s too good to be true, it likely is.
NEVER provide your personal information, including credit card or payment information over the phone to someone you don’t know.
Visit the Canada Revenue Agency website for more information on fraud, including how to recognize a scam.
You can always call the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre at 1-888-654-9426 or SeniorBusters Program at 1-888-495-8501 toll free, anywhere in North America.