For Immediate Release
File: 2016-1192728
September 9th, 2016
“Canadian Revenue Agency” Fraud, Strikes Again
St. Albert, AB -On Thursday, September 8th, 2016, St. Albert RCMP received report of a fraud that cost the victim thousands of dollars. The victim was contacted via the telephone, by a male caller who identified himself as a Canadian Revenue Agency representative. The caller advised that the victim owed over $4000.00 from past taxes. The caller stated that if the victim didn’t pay the money, he would be arrested. The caller told the victim to purchase gift cards to pay for the debt and then to inform the caller of all the information concerning the gift cards. This interaction was completed solely over the phone.
“No legitimate businesses request gift cards for payments” Advised Cst. FRASER from the St. Albert RCMP Community Policing Unit, ” If you receive a call from any agency, organization, or charity asking for money, you should always decline to send any money immediately and tell them you will call them back. This will allow you time to do some research before deciding if they are who they say they are, or if they are scammers.”
If you have information about this incident, please call the St. Albert RCMP at 780-458-7700 or call your local police. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), by internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by SMS (Check your local Crime Stoppers www.crimestoppers.ab.ca for instructions).