Income tax time is a prime time for thieves to scam unsuspecting people by pretending to be the the Canada Revenue Agency, says RCMP Cst. Steve Holmes of the Kelowna detachment.
He says a favourite way to get money is to send e-mails or letters telling a victim they have money to be claimed at CRA "and that all is required is for the victim to provide certain information so their file can be updated and the money released."
"It asks for the information to be faxed or emailed and a fax number is provided.
Holmes said the purpose here is to gain identity and banking information from the victim so bank accounts can be accessed by false pretenses.
CRA will never request personal information by e-mail, never divulges personal information to anyone unless authorization has been provided, and does not leave personal information on answering machines, Holmes said.
He advises people to visit the CRA web site at www.cra-arc.gc.ca, and under "contact us" scroll down to "fraudulent communications" and click on "beware of fraudulent communications" for more information.
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