CRA Scam Using RCMP Phone Numbers

RCMP Alberta – Many Canadians have received messages on their phone from someone claiming to be a police officer. This person states that the Canadian Revenue Agency has issued a warrant for their arrest because they owe taxes. They provide a name and a badge number. In order to avoid arrest, taxpayers are told to pay with money, gift cards and recently, bitcoin.

The scammers have now introduced a new twist. Spruce Grove RCMP have received reports that the CRA scammers are now using the Spruce Grove Detachment’s complaint line, (780) 962-2222, to convince victims they are not scammers.

They use spoofing mechanisms that allow them to choose any phone number they wish. Many people are aware of this scam and will use the internet to check the phone number. When the phone number belongs to a RCMP detachment, victims start to believe that the warrant may be legitimate.

RCMP want the public to know that the Canadian Revenue Agency would never request payment over the phone, they do not accept gift cards or bitcoin as payment.

If you or a family member has fallen victim to this fraud, please report to the Stony Plain RCMP at (780) 968-7267, as well as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. You have two ways to make a report to the CAFC; either by phone at 1-888-495-8501 (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) or through their online reporting tool athttp://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/reportincident-signalerincident/index-eng.htm