CRA Scam 2016 – click for full media release

The Port Moody Police Department would like to advise the public about an ongoing scam involving fraudulent communications from persons claiming to be from the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA).

The PMPD have received numerous reports from residents of a person claiming to be an officer for the CRA. This person uses forceful language to explain that the victim owes the CRA a substantial amount of money and threatens arrest if payment is not made immediately.  The caller attempts to negotiate payment often agreeing on a lesser amount paid by way of third party gift card, credit care or pre-paid gift card.

As per the Canada Revenue website, the CRA will not request personal information of any kind by phone or email.

To help identify possible scams, the CRA website indicates that:

The CRA:

  • never requests prepaid credit cards;
  • never asks for information about your passport, health card or drivers license;
  • never shares your taxpayer information with another person, unless you have provided the appropriate authorization; and
  • never leaves personal information on your answering machine or asks you to leave a message containing your personal information on an answering machine.

When in doubt ask yourself the following:

  • is there a reason that the CRA may be calling?  Do I have a tax balance outstanding?
  • is the requester asking for information I would not include with my tax return?
  • is the requester asking for information I know the CRA already has on file for me?
  • how did the requester get my email address or telephone number?
  • am I confident I know who is asking for the information?

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and the Canada Revenue Agency are both aware of this scam.  For additional information visit https://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/scrty/frdprvntn/menu-eng.html or www.antifraudcentre.ca

Anyone with information about this scam or who has been victimized are asked to contact their local Police Department.