(Corner Brook, NL), January 10, 2018 – The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) Corner Brook Region is issuing a public advisory regarding a phone scam whereby fraudsters are posing as the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Recently the RNC Corner Brook Region has received a high number of calls from the public with concerns about telephone calls from fraudsters impersonating the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).  The fraudsters are claiming that recent audits of the consumer’s account have identified discrepancies from past filed taxes.  The fraudsters inform the consumer that payment is required immediately to prevent their immediate arrest by local police and they should not inform anyone of the situation. Fraudsters then request immediate payment by a money transfer (from a money transfer company or through the consumer’s own bank) or payment by pre-paid cards (such as iTunes, Visa or Master Card) whereby they request the consumer send the fraudster the number on the back of the pre-paid cards.

The RNC would like to advise the public to be aware of phishing scams asking for personnel information including credit card, bank account, and passport numbers.  The public should also refrain from providing their personal information and payments to unknown persons over the phone or online and to verify the authenticity of the person by requesting information and by contacting the governmental agency or financial institution directly.  In relation to these recent CRA frauds in the Corner Brook Region, the general public is advised to confirm the status of their tax accounts before taking any action as a result of pressure from suspicious calls or emails by contacting the CRA directly at 1-800-959-8281 or by checking My Account (http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/myaccount/).

Anyone who receives a suspicious communication should immediately report it to the Anti-Fraud Center of Canada at http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or call 1-888-495-8501. Only victims of an actual financial loss or identity theft need to report to the police.  If members of the public have not provided personal information or paid any money then these types of suspicious and harassing telephone calls should be reported to the Anti-Fraud Center of Canada.

 

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Cst. Shawna Park #659
Media Relations
Corner Brook Region, Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
9 University Drive, Corner Brook, NL, A2H 6C3
Twitter: @RNC_PoliceNL
Facebook: RoyalNewfoundlandConstabulary
709-637-4130, spark@rnc.nl.ca