A scam involving the local RCMP is taking hold in Grand Forks.
In a press release this week, Grand Forks RCMP warned the public of a scam in which a scammer posed as a member of Grand Forks RCMP demanding money on behalf of the Canada Revenue Agency demanding payment for “back taxes, fines and a fee.”
“The scammer told the citizen that the R.C.M.P. would be arresting the person and "seizing" her children if she did not pay her taxes. Later the citizen got a phone call using the Grand Forks R.C.M.P. phone number on her cell phone. The caller pretended to be the R.C.M.P. Detachment Commander,” the press release said. “These scammers are using the R.C.M.P. Detachment phone number and quoting members names and badge numbers as a form of intimidation. This is a scam.”
Some signs of the scam should you receive a call include the scammer telling you that you owe money to the CRA or have a tax refund, and are threatened with jail or arrest without immediate action. The scammers will be quite rude and intimidating, according to the press release.
“When C.R.A. employees call taxpayers, they follow established procedures to ensure personal information is protected. To confirm the authenticity of a call, contact the C.R.A. by using its official telephone number for individual tax enquiries: 1-800-959-8281. You can also verify your individual tax account through a secure C. A.A. portal: My Account,” the press release notes.
According to Minister of National Revenue Diane Lebouthillier, scams using the CRA name peak around tax time, so the agency is warning people to be especially cautious this time of year. Information about known scams can be found on the CRA’s website.
If you believe you may have given out personal financial information in error, make sure to contact the Grand Forks RCMP as well as your bank.