This video is courtesy of ABC News. References to IRS can be replaced with CRA. The top consumer scams to watch for in 2017 will know no geographical boundaries.

Top Consumer Scams To Watch For In 2017: Introduction

Consumer experts are already predicting the rip-offs and top consumer scams to watch for in 2017. Our video and blog shows you what new scams to watch out for this year or new twists put on some old scams tricking you out of your money.

Top Consumer Scams To Watch For In 2017: The IRS/CRA Scam

Polk county resident Sherry Gordy fell for the number one rip off in the United States. They said they were with the IRS and that I owed $2,773.00 dollars in back taxes. So far the IRS scheme cost Sherry and thousands of other Americans more than $30 million dollars.

Most now know that the IRS and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will issue a statement showing the amount of tax owing, by year, but will never first contact a taxpayer by calling on the telephone. So this year, look for phony letters notifying people they owe taxes. I just can’t believe people still fall for this scam. It may be the biggest scams to watch for in 2017.

Top Consumer Scams To Watch For In 2017: The Computer Virus and Jury Duty Scams

Consumer experts predict that bogus notices involving a virus on your computer and missing jury duty will make the rounds this year.

The computer virus scam is not a new one, but people fall for it. This is how it works. You receive a phone call from someone pretending to be from your internet service provider, advising you that they have noticed irregular traffic, irregular internet connectivity and a potential virus from your computer. They ask you to go to your computer, put in certain keystrokes, and “test” your internet service by providing key details of your computer and its passwords. People who fall for this don’t realize that the scammers are asking you for your IP address, and then passwords, so that they can after the call hack your system and use your passwords for their criminal activities such as hacking bank accounts or stealing your identity.

The jury duty notice trick, sent mainly to business owners, will make the rounds in 2017. This is how this scam works. The business owner receives an official looking notice using a lot of legal terms. The warrant advises that you failed to show up for the jury duty selection. The scammers hope that the business owner thinks that they must have misplaced the original jury duty notice, which of course, was never sent.

The warrant goes on to say that the person can avoid further fines and prosecution, by paying a certain amount of money now. People are paying and of course it’s a scam.

Top Consumer Scams To Watch For In 2017: What Do Consumer Protection Experts Advise?

Consumer protection experts recommend that anytime you’re hit with an unsolicited call, email or letter, look up the real number for the agency they claim to be with. Then call the real agency to find if what you received was a real communication or a bogus one.

Consumer protection experts also recommend that if you are online checking your bank accounts, or other sites that contain your personal information or money, make sure you have plugged in the right web address. The bad guys have purchased domain names with common typos and have made them look like the real websites they are impersonating. They have done so with the hopes that you’ll accidentally put in your login information and they’ll gain access to your account.

Also be on the lookout for smarter phishing scams. The bogus emails that look like</font> they’re coming from your bank credit card or utility company. Instead of clicking on the link, open a new browser and go directly to the real website.

Top Consumer Scams To Watch For In 2017: Been Scammed and Now Can’t Pay Your Bills?

There are many scammers who think nothing of bilking innocent people out of their money. In extreme cases, you might be left without enough money to pay your bills. Your debts are now too much for you to handle, and you will never be able to recoup the money you have lost.

If you have too much debt, for whatever reason, contact the Ira Smith Team. We will give you a free consultation, where we will discuss your problems, treat you with the respect that you deserve, and create a plan for you, often to avoid bankruptcy, and regain a stress free life, Starting Over, Staring Now.

scams concord

CRA phone scam is so popular

Our blog about the CRA phone scam titled: CANADA REVENUE AGENCY SCAMS: IF YOU READ ONE ARTICLE, READ THIS ONE is one of our most viewed. Since it is so popular, we thought we would put together a short video on the topic as well.

There are many fraud types, including new ones invented daily. CRA’s website warns Canadians about the CRA phone scam, which is also sometimes called the India scam. The Toronto Star also published a story on this topic: Beware phony CRA tax owing calls. The problem is rampant.

Stay wary and vigilant to not fall for the CRA phone scam

Taxpayers must be vigilant when they receive, either by telephone (including voicemail), mail, text message or email, a fraudulent communication that claims to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requesting personal information such as a social insurance number, credit card number, bank account number, or passport number.

These scams, increasingly a scam phone call, may insist that they need this personal information so that the taxpayer can receive a refund or a benefit payment. Cases of fraudulent communication could also involve threatening or coercive language, including threats of prosecution for tax evasion, to scare people into paying fictitious debt to the CRA. Other communications urge taxpayers to visit a fake CRA website where the taxpayer is then asked to verify their identity by entering personal information. These are scams and taxpayers should never respond to these fraudulent communications or click on any of the links provided.

Educate yourself so that you do not fall prey to the CRA phone scam

To identify communications not from the CRA, be aware of CRA’s guidelines.
If you receive a call saying you owe money to the CRA, you can call the real CRA taxation office or check your CRA online “My Account” to be sure. If you have signed up for online mail (available through My Account, My Business Account, and Represent a Client), the CRA will do the following:

send a registration confirmation email to the address you provided for online mail service for an individual or a business; and

send an email to the address you provided to tell you when new online mail is available to view in the CRA’s secure online services portal.The CRA will not do the following send email with a link and ask you to divulge personal or financial information.

If you have too much debt, contact us

If you are an individual or company who needs to free themselves from the stress and strain of too much debt, and especially if you have been told your situation is hopeless, Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. can prepare and carry out the plan made just for you, to free you from the burden of your financial challenges to go on to live a productive, stress-free, financially sound life.

If you’re experiencing serious debt issues with the CRA, or for any reason, contact a professional trustee for a free, no obligation consultation. The Ira Smith Team does not try to write new insolvency law or tax law. Rather, we will evaluate your situation within the existing statutes, and help you to arrive at the best possible solution for your problems, whether that solution is a bankruptcy alternative like credit counselling, debt consolidation or a consumer proposal or bankruptcy. Starting Over, Starting Now you can be debt free with the help of a professional, licensed trustee in bankruptcy. Contact us today.