Don't get scammed again — CRA issues warning
By Nelson Daily Staff
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is advising the public that during tax time scammers are on the prowl looking to steal your hard-earned money.
The CRA said in a media release there is a scam making its round that asks taxpayers to share personal information over the phone.
The CRA says this is a scam.
“If you get a call or email that sounds like a scam, it probably is,” the media release said.
“When the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) contacts you, (the agency) makes sure your personal information is protected,” the release added.
The CRA will never:
- ask for personal information by email or text message
- request payment by prepaid credit card
- share your tax information with another person or organization, unless you have agreed that it can be shared
- leave personal information on an answering machine
- threaten with police arrest or use nasty language
The CRA urges the public to learn more about their personal income tax and benefit information, and to manage your tax affairs online, by going to www.cra.gc.ca/myaccount.
To report scams, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) online at www.antifraudcentre.ca or toll free at 1-888-495-8501.
Anyone falling victim to a fraudster or have given personal or financial information by mistake, contact Nelson Police Department at (250) 354-3919 or the RCMP at (250) 352-2156
For more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/fraudprevention.
