Cra Scams: Surrey Rcmp Warning Public Of Fraudsters Pretending To Be Police After Similar Warning From Vpd

In this latest scam, the fraudsters state they are calling from the CRA and ask the victim to look up and provide the number for the police department. The scammers hang up and the victims receive another call, from a person purporting to be a police officer.

SURREY – Surrey RCMP have been advised of scam phone calls which involve fraudsters attempting to pass themselves off as employees of Canada Revenue Agency. The fraudsters pressure their victims into making a payment on a fictitious tax debt, and often use pressure tactics such as telling the victim they will be arrested, or that a warrant has been issued for their arrest.

On October 28, Surrey RCMP received two separate reports of CRA scams which also included caller ID spoofing.

Caller ID spoofing is when a fraudster uses software or applications to indicate to the receiver of a call that identity of the caller is someone they are not. In the two cases reported to Surrey RCMP, programming was used to show the Surrey RCMP non-emergency phone number.

Surrey RCMP is passing on this important information to help individuals to protect themselves from fraud:

• Surrey RCMP does not collect taxes on behalf of Canada Revenue Agency.

• Know: Canada Revenue Agency will NEVER call to say there is a warrant for arrest.

• Know: Police will NEVER call you to demand money.

• If you receive a call stating either of the above – it is fraud.

• Do: Hang up the phone.

• Never arrange payment – it is fraud.

• If you are in doubt, hang up the phone and call the CRA or police back yourself using publically-accessible contact details.

What do you do if this happens to you? You should follow these steps:

• Do: Call the police in your area and report the fraud.

• Do: Contact Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and report the fraud.

• Do: Tell your friends and family so they are aware of the new tactic being used by scammers.

If you have given payment over the phone and believe you are a victim of fraud, you should follow these steps:

• Do: Call the police in your area and report the fraud.

• Do: Contact Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and report the fraud.

• Do: Contact Equifax and Trans Union to protect your credit.

“We are starting to see the ID spoofing tactic being used by those committing fraud,” said Sergeant David Wise, Surrey RCMP. “We are hoping that, by raising awareness we can help people avoid falling victim to scams.”

Fraudsters also used Vancouver Police Department’s non-emergency number in CRA scam earlier.

Last week, VPD warned the public about a new element to an existing telephone scam where fraudsters use spoofing to display the VPD non-emergency number and pretend to be police officers.

Police have received numerous reports of fraudsters calling Vancouver residents, and representing themselves as VPD or CRA. They demand Bitcoin or gift cards to pay false debts.

“The non-emergency police line is for residents to use to report incidents to the police. The police will never call you from the non-emergency number and will never solicit payment,” says Sergeant Aaron Roed, VPD. “We ask that if you receive a call like this, you hang up immediately and spread the word to friends and family.”

The fraudster provides a fake badge number and indicates that the victim’s social insurance number has been used to create credit card accounts with substantial balances owing. The victim is told they are responsible for the debt and told to clear it up by providing Bitcoin or gift cards.