The Rainy River District detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has recently received several complaints from local citizens regarding phone calls where the caller is identifying themselves as a representative of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
There are times that the CRA may contact you by telephone.
However, the CRA will never:
- ask for information about your passport, health card, or driver’s licence;
- demand immediate payment by Interac e-transfer, bitcoin, prepaid credit cards or gift cards from retailers such as iTunes, Amazon, or others;
- use aggressive language or threaten you with arrest or sending the police; and
- leave voicemails that are threatening or give personal or financial information.
It is very important that you ensure the person you are talking to, is from the CRA. If they are demanding payment or threatening that the police will come and arrest you, it is a scam.
You can access you CRA account on their secure website at: www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/cra-login-services.html
Should you receive a call and are curious about the legitimacy, please ensure you check your account or call the CRA from the official website at: www.canada.ca/en/services/taxes/income-tax.html
Find hints on how to know what to expect if the CRA contact you at:
www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/newsroom/tax-tips/tax-tips-2018/what-to-expect-cra-contacts-you.html
Persons who may have experienced this type of situation are urged to contact PHONEBUSTERS at 1-888-495-8501 or via email at info@antifraudcentre.ca
