By Justin Goulet (@JustinGoulet21)

Lethbridge Police Service warns of CRA phone scam

Mar 7, 2019 | 10:07 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – As tax season approaches, Lethbridge Police are asking residents to be mindful of scams involving the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

March is Fraud Prevention Month, and the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) says one of the most common scams continuing to make the rounds involves someone posing as a CRA representative and demanding payment from a potential victim over the phone.

“Fraud Prevention Month is actually a national strategy and it’s pushed by the police services right across the country as well as partner agencies such as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Bank of Canada, major banks and securities commissions within each province,” said Paolo Magliocco, the Acting Sergeant of the Lethbridge Police Service’s Economic Crimes Unit.

As part of the CRA scam, the fraudster will call potential victims and ask that a debt to the agency be paid in iTunes gift cards or pre-paid credit cards, all to obtain private information.

The scammer will threaten victims with massive fines and even jail time if they don’t pay up.

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He said calls of this nature happen “all year long”, with residents reporting to police that they’ve been targeted and, in some cases, fallen victim to the scam.

“It seems to target all age groups – men, women, all groups of socio-economic status, new Canadians, and seniors are vulnerable groups as well,” Magliocco noted.

“They’re going to ask you for personal information. They’re going to ask you for things like your name or they might ask banking information or confirm some kind of identifying information. We know the Canadian government or Canada Revenue Agency does not do that. They don’t need to do that, they already have your information.”

He said a lot of times when people fall victim to a scam like this, their money tends to leave the country, putting local police services in a tight spot.

“Police services are really not in a position to help recoup money (once it leaves Canada), to arrest people or prosecute anyone so we know the best tool is prevention.”

Because the scam has become so prevalent, LPS has created cards that are being distributed to local retailers reminding them that the CRA will only accept money as payment, and not things like gift cards, pre-paid credit cards or Bitcoin.

Distribution of the fraud prevention cards began at the end of 2018 and is ongoing.

“What we’re finding is that a main element to the CRA tax scam is that you’re asked to pay your taxes in iTunes gift cards or Google Play cards or something similar to that, so our victims are actually going into places like Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart or SuperStore…and they’re buying hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of these cards and they’re handing them over to the fraudsters on the telephone,” Magliocco said.

“Our strategy is actually (educating) the business community and (advising) them that this is what’s happening, so if you do have customers coming in and buying excess iTunes gift cards (etc.), perhaps it would be best for you to ask questions or remind your customers that you can’t pay taxes through iTunes gift cards.”

Some of the other reminders LPS has for residents and business owners are:

-The Canada Revenue Agency will not call and threaten you to pay a tax debt

-The CRA will not call, leave a voicemail, text or email you advising of a warrant for your arrest due to a tax debt

-The CRA will not have you deported if you do not pay an owed tax debt

-If you suspect a CRA tax scam, end the phone call and report it immediately

-When in doubt, contact the CRA directly to confirm the details of your tax account

Victims of fraud scams can report the issue to police by calling (403) 328-4444.

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