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December 02, 2017 - 10:30 AM
VERNON – Police have issued yet another warning about an ongoing scam involving threatening calls from someone claiming to be with the Canada Revenue Agency.
Vernon RCMP say there has been an increase in the number of victims being ripped off by the fraud artists.
Const. Kelly Brett says in a media release the scammers are trying to get money or steal the victim’s identity.
Brett says the caller will threaten the victim or use “aggressive forceful” language to scare the person into paying a fictitious debt to the Canada Revenue Agency or CRA.
“Victims often received a phone call from a person claiming to work for the CRA or their personal accountant, who say that taxes are owed,” Brett says. “The suspect usually requests immediate payment by credit card or will convince the victim to purchase bitcoin and demand they pay the funds immediately at the location requested.”
The suspects will tell the victim if they don’t pay up charges will be laid, or in some cases, they will be deported.
“Recently, the victims have been presented with personal information about family, friends and workplaces, therefore making the caller more believable.” Brett says. “Personal information is being gained by the suspect through numerous facets, such as social media and web-based accounts.”
If you get a scam phone call, police are asking you not to phone your local RCMP detachment. They instead suggest you simply hang up. Only call the police if you have been victimized.
If you want more information about fraud prevent check out the website for the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Get caught up on fraud issue here.
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