HALIFAX – Fraudsters posing as representatives from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) are once again targeting Nova Scotians, and the RCMP are warning people to be aware.
RCMP say people should be cautious when getting phone calls or emails from the CRA, as it could be a scam that could end in identity or financial theft.
Recent phone calls to Nova Scotians have used threatening or coercive language to scare individuals into pre-paying fictitious debts to the CRA. Some have received emails that direct people to to a website that looks like that of the CRA, where they’re asked to verify their identity by giving personal information.
READ MORE: Phony tax return email scams Halifax woman
The RCMP is reminding people that the CRA would never ask about a passport, drivers license or health card, and they would never leave personal information on your answering machine or ask you to leave personal information on an answering machine.
When the CRA actually calls you, they take certain procedures to make sure your information is protected.
If you’re ever in doubt about a call you think may be fraudulent, you can confirm the telephone belongs to the CRA by checking their list of numbers at www.cra.gc.ca.
Police also recommend asking yourself these questions if you receive a call you may think is fraudulent:
- Am I expecting additional money from the CRA?
- Does this sound too good to be true?
- Is the requester asking for information I would not include 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?
- Is there a reason that the CRA may be calling? Do I have a tax balance outstanding?
If you receive a call or email you think is suspicious, hang up and report it to the Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or at their website antifraudcentre.ca.
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