Lethbridge Police Station -- LNN

By Dori Modney

Scammers posing as Canada Revenue Agency workers active in our area – Forewarned

Nov 5, 2019 | 1:45 PM

LETHBRIDGE — Both the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in Lethbridge and city police have received numerous complaints over the past several days from people reporting scams.

Police report a caller will identify themselves as being from the C-R-A, accuses the person of owing money and will also make threats to have the person arrested and charged.

The scammer will direct the person to purchase ITunes gift cards or other types of gift cards to pay off their debt and instruct them to call back with the card codes. The cards will then be used by the scammer to sell on the black market.

Also, the local Service Canada office has dealt with numerous people who report they have been contacted and told their Social Insurance Number has been compromised. Some people have been giving out personal information, which allows the scammer to steal their identity and take out credit cards under the individuals name.

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-The Canada Revenue Agency will never call and threaten to have you arrested for not paying your taxes.

– The CRA will never ask for payment via ITunes cards, other gift cards or prepaid credit cards.

– If you are contacted and told you owe money, always confirm with the CRA directly. Look up official numbers online and do not use any phone numbers provided by the potential scammer.

– If your workplace sells gift cards, be on the lookout for potential victims and inform them about this scam. Victims may seem stressed and agitated and purchasing a large amount of gift cards.

-If you have lost money to this type of scam please call 403-328-4444 and report to police.