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Scammers impersonating Canada revenue still calling, emailing

Terrace RCMP warns of scam by phone or email that has two variations: stealing personal information or stealing your money.

Terrace RCMP continues to warn the public of a fraudulent scam plaguing the northwest that impersonates the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

This scam is by telephone or by email and has two variations. The first involves stealing personal information. The second involves stealing your money.

The first variation of the CRA scam has an automated message or email claiming to be Revenue Canada that instructs the victim to call a number, such as 844-337-8107 to claim a tax refund. The catch here is that recipient must first provide personal information to claim the refund.

In the second variation of this scam, the consumer or business receives a notification by phone or email that they owe "back taxes." The victim is told that payment must be made immediately to avoid a fine or that there is an outstanding warrant that can be avoided if the payment is made promptly.

"If you have not lost any money and have not provided personal or financial information, report scams to the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre (CAFC) website or by calling 1-888-495-8501," says Const. Angela Rabut, community policing/media relations Terrace RCMP.

"If you have had money or personal information stolen in a scam, report it to your RCMP."

Warning signs – How to protect yourself

  • Do not take immediate action. Verify that what you are being told is the truth.

  • Ask yourself why the CRA would be asking for personal information over the phone or e-mail that they likely already have on file for you as a taxpayer.

  • Contact the CRA to confirm that you in fact owe back taxes, or are entitled to a refund, before providing any personal or banking information. Use a phone number from the phone book or the official CRA website.

  • For more information about Fraud Scams involving the CRA visit the Canada Revenue website.