Durham police has issued a warning about tax scams as tax seasons begins. Below is an example of the type of scams you may encounter.
Tax payers receive fraudulent communications via text message, email, phone or letter that claim to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The fraudsters pressure the victims to either pay an outstanding balance to avoid arrest or provide personal information in order to receive a tax refund.
Police said the CRA will not:
- Send refunds or payments by e-transfer or text message
- Provide or accept payments by cryptocurrencies
- Demand or pressure immediate payment by: Interac® e-transfer, Cryptocurrencies, Prepaid credit cards, Gift cards from any type of retailer
- Threaten to deport or arrest you, or put you in prison
- Use aggressive or threatening language
- Set up an in-person meeting in a public location to collect a payment
- Charge a fee to speak with a call centre agent
- Ask for personal or financial information in a voicemail or email
Police said avoid clicking links in texts or emails, even if they look legitimate. When in doubt, don’t click!
DRPS encourages everyone to speak to their loved ones about fraud prevention and remind them that when in doubt, call 211.
Anyone who has been a victim of a fraud can report it at the DRPS website or call 905-579-1520.