Please find attached press release from the Athabasca RCMP dealing with numerous fraud reports.
Several people have also been affected locally.
Fraud – CRA – Itunes cards
On May 25, 2016 the Athabasca RCMP Detachment received numerous phone calls from the public advising that they have been contacted by the Canada Revenue Agency stating that they owe money in taxes. As the conversation continues, callers are being advised that they will have warrants for their arrest put out if they do not pay the charges. The person on the telephone tells the victim that they can pay off their debt in Itunes cards from Apple. In some instances, the caller advised the victim that if they do not pay, they will have social services remove their children from their care.
PUBLIC REMINDER - THIS IS NOT LEGITMATE
The RCMP would like to once again remind the public that CRA does not extort money from people who owe tax monies. At no time will CRA threaten to issue warrants for arrest or have children removed from your care. At no time with CRA ask that a client pay their debt off with Itunes cards, gift cards, wired money transfer or money orders.
If in doubt, please contact CRA yourself to ensure that the debt is legitimate.
The RCMP also ask that local business owners/employees ensure that people purchasing large amounts of gift cards know about this new form of fraud so that their customers who may not be aware of this fraud, are aware.
