RCMP warn public of CRA scam that had one woman out $4,000

On March 12th, the Bonnyville RCMP received a complaint of fraud from a 55 year old female. The female reported that she was defrauded of $2,000 worth of iTunes cards.

She had purchased the cards through a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) telephone scam. “the caller claimed to be the CRA and said she had owned taxes,” Sargeant Sarah Parke, with the Bonnyville Detachment explained, “the caller claimed that if she didn’t pay the money the police were going to arrest her.”

“This guy even provided a fake badge number and a fake CRA number,” Sgt. Parke said the scammer went to great lengths to have the woman believe she owed money to the CRA and would be arrested. “He told her she had to purchase iTunes cards in the amount she had owed and she had to do it that same day.”

If it’s someone asking for iTunes cards, the CRA does not operate in that type of currency or any other type of gift card. The RCMP does not, typically, arrest people for back taxes. – Sgt. Sarah Parke Bonnyville RCMP

The scammer had told the woman she owed over $4,000. She had purchased iTunes cards in close to the same amount and provided the scammer with the digits from the back of the cards so they could be accessed remotely.

“We would like to remind the public that if they receive a call from the Canada Revenue Agency and they are unsure about its authenticity to get a name and number. To also get a reference number for the case from that person and tell them that you’re going to hang out and call the Canada Revenue Agency back.” Sgt. Parke suggested to check the CRA website, cra.ca, for a the phone number and call them back.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is a great resource for the public to spot scams and to be aware of current cases. Visit http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm