Toronto police issued a warning Wednesday about phishing and identity theft scams involving fraudsters posing as Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) employees.
In a public safety alert, Toronto police are warning taxpayers about phone calls, texts, emails, and even regular mail that claims to be from the CRA but is not. “These are fraudulent scams that could result in identity and financial theft,” it says.
These communications always seek personal information, police say, and taxpayers are often told that this is necessary so that they can receive a refund or benefit payment. Other scams urge taxpayers to visit a fake CRA website where the taxpayer is then asked to verify their identity by entering personal information, it notes.
The alert reminds taxpayers that, among other things, the CRA will not send emails containing any links; that it will not request personal information in an email or text message; that it never leaves personal information on an answering machine, or asks taxpayers to leave their information on an answering machine; and, that it does not divulge personal information without formal authorization