Seniors Targeted in CRA Scam

Thursday, 14 January 2016 12:39

Over the past 6 months criminals have duped Ontarians out of millions of dollars in the Canada Revenue Agency Scam.

PERTH COUNTY - Perth County OPP are raising alarms after getting call after call from concerned citizens who have been targeted in the so called Canada Revenue Agency Scam.

Police say they seem to be getting calls every day from distraught residents who have been contacted by the scam artists. How it works is someone will call you at home pretending to work for the CRA. They will tell you owe the government money and need to wire funds or you will be arrested. The callers are very aggressive and have bullied thousands of people in Ontario into paying the money. Police estimate criminals have netted millions of dollars from this scam over the past 6 months.

Most of the calls or visits to the Perth County OPP about this scam are from seniors. They are often in shock and anxious about the rude threats and demands made by the callers. Some of these residents have been in tears and break-down when reporting these incidents to police.

The CRA and Police are continuing to advise the public that the Canada Revenue Agency does not interact with clients in a rude, threatening or harassing manner. They contact their clients by mail and will never request personal information.

The Perth County OPP is requesting the public’s assistance in mobilizing the community by:

- Discussing the CRA scam with elderly or vulnerable neighbours or friends

- Ensuring that elderly parents or family members are aware of this fraud

- Talk about this scam with friends, relatives, customers and clients

- Be conscious of persons in your community who are talking about making payments to Revenue Canada. Question them about the legitimacy of the transaction.

For more information with regards to the security of taxpayer information and other examples of fraudulent communications, please visit www.cra.gc.ca/security.

To learn more about this fraud and many others please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or through http://www.antifraudcentre.ca