Revenue scams victimizing Canadians

PEOPLE LOST $5 MILLION LAST YEAR TO FRAUDSTERS

Canadian reporters have tracked down some of the con artists. But taxpayers are still being victimized by long-distance callers who impersonate Canadian tax officials.

That’s the warning from the Better Business Bureau, after thousands of Canadians have called to complain about the imposters’ bullying tactics.

Canadians paid the scam artists more than $5 million last year, officials say — and the scam continues. So the BBB maintains its preventive education campaign.

Real agents of the Canada Revenue Agency use the mail — not the phone — to remind someone about overdue taxes, the bureau points out. They don’t push anyone to pay immediately — by credit card, wire transfer or any other means. And they don’t come to your door — with handcuffs!

“The CRA will give you the chance to ask questions or appeal what you owe,” points out BBB spokesperson Shawna-Kay Thomas. It never asks for personal information over the phone or online.

And it “does not accept payment in Bitcoin.”

While CRA officers are based in Canada, reporters recently exposed a call centre in Mumbai, India, which targets unwitting taxpayers in Canada.

The scam artists usually take one of two approaches, the BBB points out. Sometimes they’ll call to tell someone they’re entitled to a tax refund — but the callers asks for a little more banking information. Then the bank account may be emptied.

More often, the authoritative voice claims there are back taxes to pay — with the risk of fines, arrest or even deportation if they’re not paid immediately.

“Imposters often go to great lengths to appear credible,” the BBB says.

They say they’re calling from Ottawa, or from a police department.

“In many instances, these scam calls begin with a very serious and official sounding ‘robocall’ recording.”

Anyone receiving a scam call should hang up and then, the BBB suggests, go online to report the event:

BBB.org/ScamTracker. More information is available at BBB.org/ScamTips. Follow @DMabellHerald on Twitter