Tag: scams

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Brandon Blog Post

LOAN SCAMS CANADA VIDEO

Haven’t you already written on the loan scams Canada topic?

Yes, we have previously advised you of various loan scams Canada in our previous blogs and vlogs:

  1. CREDIT REPAIR TORONTO: HOW TO USE IT TO NOT RUIN YOUR LIFE
  2. ARE YOU UP ON THE LATEST PHISHING SCAMS? YOU SHOULD BE!
  3. #VIDEO: CRA PHONE SCAM: IF YOU WATCH ONLY 1 VIDEO WATCH THIS ONE! #
  4. CANADA REVENUE AGENCY SCAMS: IF YOU READ ONE ARTICLE, READ THIS ONE
  5. DISASTER RELIEF SCAMS BY THE NUMBERS
  6. VAUGHAN DEBT COUNSELLING ADVISES BEWARE OF TAX SEASON SCAMS
  7. SENIOR FINANCIAL ABUSE; SENIOR CITIZEN MONEY SCAMS
  8. BEWARE OF PHISHING AND SPEAR PHISHING SCAMS

“Will these loan scams Canada continue?

For sure loan scams will continue. One main reason is that Canadians on a per capita basis are in debt at the highest level in all of Canadian history, and one of the highest in the entire world! This is a very lucrative and enticing market for the scammers to perpetrate loan scams Canada!

How can I protect myself against loan scams Canada?

There are three general themes in common with all of the loan scams. If you don’t fall for them, that is the best protection. Here is our list of the three common loan scam Canada themes and how to protect yourself:

  1. Never give money or your credit card information over the telephone or in person to someone you don’t know – even if they sound like they’re from an established organization. Request additional information to be sent to you, review it with friends or family, or simply hang up if the whole thing sounds fishy!
  1. It’s important to know that no bank, store or Canada Revenue Agency will ever ask you for your password via email or telephone, so never respond to these requests. If you receive an email that has a sense of urgency requesting personal information, first contact the purported sender to see if the email is legitimate.
  1. Reputable lenders for personal loans will never ask you to pay an up-front insurance or application fee. Also, reputable lenders will never give you a guarantee that you will receive the loan approval before you provide your information. If the person you are dealing with asks for the up-front fee, or guarantees that no one is ever declined, stop dealing with them.

What to do if you have too much debt and not enough cash

Rather than resorting to high interest rate payday loans or to lenders who charge up-front fees in return for all sorts of promises, talk to a licensed insolvency trustee. Contact us now to obtain a solution, before bankruptcy is your only alternative.

We help individuals and companies throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) facing financial crisis to avoid bankruptcy or bankruptcy, if the problems have been left too long without any corrections that need a plan for Starting Over, Starting Now. The Ira Smith Team brings a cumulative 50+ years of experience dealing with diverse issues and complex files, and we deliver the highest quality of professional service. Don’t worry about debt; instead take immediate action.

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Brandon Blog Post

CANADA REVENUE AGENCY SCAMS: IF YOU READ ONE ARTICLE, READ THIS ONE

canada revenue agency scams
canada revenue agency scams

Canada Revenue Agency scams

Canada Revenue Agency, or as it is also known, CRA, has noticed an increase in telephone scams where the caller claims to be from the CRA but is not, and is asking Canadians to beware. There is a CRA newsletter on the issue of Canada Revenue Agency scams and the fake Canada Revenue Agency scammers. These calls are fraudulent and could result in identity and financial theft, or vulnerable people being bullied into making a payment to a bogus Canada Revenue Agency officer. They will try to make you believe that the payment is going to a legitimate CRA account, but it isn’t. There is no such CRA program.

Canda Revenue Agency scams: Anyone is a target

Everyone is at risk of having their identity stolen and it’s easy to be taken in. Most people get a little nervous when they receive a phone call from the CRA; it’s like having a police car driving right behind you even if you’re not doing anything wrong. Recognizing the importance of warning the public about identity theft, we have already published several blogs on the subject:

Canada Revenue Agency scams: It will never happen to me, right?

A recent event prompted us to reach out and let you know that anyone can be a target. Ira Smith of Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. recently received a voicemail at home from someone claiming to be from CRA collections. Being a seasoned, professional trustee and aware of the recent uptick in identity fraud scams, Ira was immediately on guard when the caller asked him to have his SIN number ready for security purposes. Ira Googled the phone number that was left on the voicemail and sure enough, it was a scam.

Click below to listen to the CRA scam voicemail

Canda Revenue Agency scams: Do the RCMP know about this?

According to Corporal Josée Rousseau of the RCMP’s anti-fraud department, police first started seeing the scam two years ago. Callers work from boiler rooms and randomly phone people from purchased calling lists. They tell their victims they’re from Canada Revenue Agency, and they owe money in unpaid taxes. The RCMP also stated the callers are aggressive and often claim they will come to the victim’s house and arrest them if the money is not paid. They say many of the callers speak with a foreign accent and insist the money be paid immediately, either by credit card or via Western Union.

If you get a call from someone claiming to work for the CRA and want to confirm the authenticity of the call contact the CRA at 1-800-959-5525 for business-related calls and 1-800-959-8281 for individual calls. Or you can do as Ira did and Google the number and see what other people are reporting.

Canda Revenue Agency scams: Tips to identify possible scams

Here are some tips from the Canada Revenue Agency to help you identify possible tax scams:

The CRA:

  • never requests prepaid credit cards;
  • doesn’t ask for information about your passport, health card, or driver’s license;
  • does not share your taxpayer information with another person, unless you have provided the appropriate authorization; and
  • never leaves personal information on your answering machine or asks you to leave a message containing your personal information on an answering machine.

When in doubt, ask yourself the following:

  • Is there a reason that the CRA may be calling? Do I have a tax balance outstanding?
  • Is the requester asking for information I would not include on CRA forms with my tax return?
  • Is the requester asking for information I know the CRA already has on file for me?
  • How did the requester get my email address or telephone number?
  • Am I confident I know who is asking for the information?

If you have too much debt you need to take action NOW

Have you been a victim of identity theft or financial theft? If for any reason you’re facing serious financial difficulties, contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. today. We will review your file and take immediate action to get you back on a path towards debt-free living Starting Over, Starting Now.

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Brandon Blog Post

DISASTER RELIEF SCAMS BY THE NUMBERS

disaster relief scams, disaster charity fraud, scams, travel scams, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, CanadaHelps, Canadian Red Cross, Salvation Army, Doctors Without Borders, starting over starting nowDisaster Relief Scams is the topic we wish to warn you about this week. Last week we discussed the danger of scams including travel scams. Scams can be treacherous and unfortunately it’s easy to get taken in by organizations that we trust, especially charities. It’s virtually impossible to see massive destruction in the news and hear the heart breaking stories of lost lives without being moved. We’re primed to open our wallets and donate, often without doing our due diligence. This makes us ripe for disaster relief scams.

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre Canadians gave $70 million to scammers last year and the second most popular scam was the Disaster Relief Scam Charity Fraud. As soon as a new disaster strikes, charities seem to spring up like weeds in the garden, aggressively going after your donation dollars. Thirty charity websites were created within 48 hours of a devastating tornado in Oklahoma and only three appeared to be legitimate, according to TheDomains.com, a U.S. group which monitors domain name activity. A year after Hurricane Katrina hit, the FBI estimated 4,000 fake websites had been set up. Canada has government agencies such as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre trying to stay on top of scams of all types, but it’s a herculean task. As you see, disaster relief scams are very popular.

How can you protect yourself from Disaster Relief Scams?

  • Don’t get taken in by an “urgent plea”. This is a common ploy of disaster relief scams. Take the time to do your due diligence. Check out the charity and make sure that they are legitimate before donating.
  • Avoid donating to door-to-door canvassers and never give cash. Charities have websites with an e-donate feature which is much safer.
  • org is a fundraising platform for donating to legitimate charities. They’ve already done the research for you.
  • Give to an organization that has a track record in international aid such as the Canadian Red Cross, Salvation Army and Doctors Without Borders.

Scams, including disaster relief scams, have invaded the fabric of our lives and we must remain diligent. Many people have lost their life savings and their homes as a result of scams, so stay alert and stay informed. If you’re experiencing serious financial difficulties as a result of being scammed or for any reason, you need professional help as soon as possible. Contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. for immediate action and the right plan for you. We can help and Starting Over, Starting Now you can be well on your return to financial health.

Call a Trustee Now!