North Vancouver RCMP warn about tax collecting scam

North Vancouver RCMP are warning the public after several residents have reported to them they have received some suspicious phone calls recently.

Those residents have received calls from an unknown person who alleges to be an RCMP officer and claims to have a legal affidavit registered against them. The caller then states that thousands of dollars in back taxes are owed and they are offered the chance to pay as much as they can immediately to avoid legal proceedings. Mounties say the person also provides a call back number of 647-800-4163.

But police warn they do not represent Revenue Canada as tax collectors and would not contact anyone in such a way to try and collect money.

The RCMP want to make it very clear, that under no circumstance will the police call citizens and represent Revenue Canada or any collection agency, said Cpl. Richard De Jong, of the North Vancouver RCMP. Never give out personal information to someone you do not know.

Police warn there are variations of this fraud and anyone who receives a suspicious communication should immediately report it to info@antifraudcentre.ca or call them 1-800-495-8501.

For more information on how you can protect yourself against telephone and email scams visit the RCMP and Canada Revenue Agency web sites.