Police are warning the public of a Canada Revenue Agency phone scam that has come to the area.
In this scam, a person will receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from Revenue Canada, saying that taxes are owed.
“The victim is pressured to pay the allegedly owed taxes immediately over the phone,” said Vernon RCMP Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy. “If the victim is hesitant, the scammer threatens that the RCMP will come and arrest them.”
In at least one instance, another scammer has phoned claiming to be an RCMP officer on the way to the victim’s residence to put them in jail.
If you receive a call like this, do not disclose any personal or banking information. Ensure that you verify any claims with Canada Revenue Agency yourself prior to taking any action.
More information pertaining to this scam is available on Canada Revenue Agency’s website.
If you have been a victim of this scam, please report it to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.