BEWARE OF THE "CRA' SCAM, CANADA REVENUE AGENCY WILL NEVER THREATEN YOU THROUGH A PHONE CALL

"Hello, this is Canada Revenue Agency calling," says a thick baritone voice which makes a seriously calculated attempt to hide any accent. This is one of the ways the fraudulent "CRA" calls, which different police departments have warned the public of, begin.

Likely the most sophisticated financial crime against Canadians in modern time, its ready victims are newly landed immigrants, although businesses and established Canadians have also been unfortunate victims of this fraudulent scheme hatched overseas.


According an investigation carried out by a notable Canadian media outfit, the perpetrators of this scam have been traced to different parts of the world, even outside of Canada, and particularly to a rural Indian area. They operate in a matrix organizational system akin to mob organization, out of a low income areas and in rickety and unkempt office buildings. Sometimes too, their offices are make-shifts, as they are always on the look out for authorities and ready to dislodge.

HOW DO THESE "CRA" SCAMMERS OPERATE?

1. Through threatening calls (of arrest or property confiscation):

Their usual modus operandus is by a threatening call. They have become a regular caller to many Canadian homes, and their calls usually begin by accusing its receiver of making omissions on his/her/its tax return deliberately to avoid tax, before then following up the accusation with the threat that the receiver will be arrested on charges of tax related crimes or have its property confiscated and banned from receiving government assistance/services forthwith.

2. Through requesting sensitive information:

Besides, phone calls that threaten its receiver with criminal prosecution, the call may spiral into a request for additional information from the receiver such as, social insurance numbers, bank details and even copy of one's passport data page, permanent residency card or driver's license and to help the receiver complete its income tax return forms or process tax refunds.

3. Through text messages or emails with links to update tax returns information:

Another method they have employed is the use of emails and text messages, which instruct the receiver to follow a link and update their tax returns form. Some of information requested through the link include social insurance numbers, house address, credit card details and banking details

4. Through prepaid mails:


Their most recent trick is to send regular mails with an enclosed incomplete "Canada Revenue Agency" form for the victim to complete. They will advise that you complete the form with some "required tax information".

The surprising thing about the form is that it will be half-filled with the victim's names and address, making it look so real, as though it emanated from the CRA. But the form will omit your social insurance number, date of birth and other information that may not be publicly available but are relevant to identity thieves.

The mail also comes with a self-addressed stamped envelope for return; this feature is aimed at confusing victims as to the originality and legality of the form and the process and easing the process to avoid administrative hiccups.

 WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER THEM IN ANY FORM

Their ways are getting tricker and more sophisticated by the day. Please do not follow any link in either a text message or an email from a sender you do not know or trust, avoid divulging sensitive information online. When in doubt, call CRA to verify. You can get CRA's actual contact on http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca . You can also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.