The vlog on the CRA phone scam was published in December 2015. Since then, I know several people who received the CRA phone scam call and one person who actually fell for it and was defrauded.
On March 1, 2016, the Bank of Canada issued a press release on the Bank of Canada email scam, one of the newest phishing scams around. Here is a copy of the Bank of Canada press release:
Since the CRA phone scam remains rampant and now there is a Bank of Canada email scam. we wish to again present to you, as a caution to remain vigilant, our video on the CRA phone scam and to protect yourself against the scammers.
What to do if you are a victim of one of the phishing scams and have too much debt
If you’ve been scammed by one of the phishing scams, and now are trapped with high debt that you cannot repay, you need a professional trustee to help you manage the situation before it reaches a critical stage where bankruptcy is your only option. We have been able to help many individuals carry out a successful debt settlement program. It all began with debt counseling. The first step is a realistic household budget. Successful completion of such a program, will free you from the burden of your financial challenges to go on to live a productive, stress-free, financially sound life.
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, contactIra 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.
