RCMP warn of C.R.A. scam

The RCMP has a warning about a Canada Revenue Agency scam making its way across the country.

Mounties in Strathmore, Alta., say victims are getting phone calls from someone claiming to be from the C.R.A.

The caller claims the victim owes money in taxes, and threatens to have the victim arrested if a sum is not paid immediately.

Strathmore officers say they’ve gotten multiple complaints about the scam, including from some victims who report that the number on call display is similar to the RCMP non-emergency line number.

The RCMP says its members do not threaten to arrest people over money owed.

According to the C.R.A., this scam is Canada-wide.

The agency is reminding Canadians that it doesn’t ask for personal information of any kind by e-mail of by text message, nor does it request payments by prepaid credit cards.

It’s not just an issue for Canadians either.

The Internal Revenue Service in the United States reports a similar scam, with a caller asking for immediate payment, usually with a prepaid debit card, on taxes owed.

On its website, the I.R.S., much like the C.R.A., says it does not ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone, nor does it threaten arrests or police involvement.

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