Kingston Police warn seniors about tax return scams

Kingston Police are warning the public after receiving multiple complaints from senior citizens in the city about possible tax scams.

Police say that in recent days a number of seniors have reported receiving a phone call from someone purporting to be from Canada Revenue Agency.

In one instance, Kingston Police Constable Steve Koopman says he was dispatched to a Shopper’s Drug Mart in the city where a victim of the CRA scam was attempting to buy thousands of dollars worth of iTunes gift cards.

Kingston Police are asking people to speak to any family members who may be vulnerable to scams.

According to Canada Revenue Agency, taxpayers should be vigilant when they receive, either by telephone, mail, text message or email, a fraudulent communication that claims to be from CRA requesting personal information. Fraudsters have been known to request social insurance numbers, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, and passport numbers.

CRA says Canadians should never respond to these fraudulent communications or click on any of the links provided in an email.