Police warn of tax scams

THUNDER BAY -- Each year taxpayers are targeted by fraudsters claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency.

In an attempt to get money or personal information from the taxpayer, the scam artist threatens and uses aggressive and forceful language in an attempt to scare someone into paying a fake debt. The fraudster requests immediate payment and threatens the taxpayer with court charges, jail or deportation.

Recently a Thunder Bay resident was called and threatened with arrest for an outstanding tax debt. Unfortunately, the individual believed the call to be true and purchased a substantial amount of pre-paid cards to settle the alleged debt. Once the card numbers and security number have been sent to the fraudster, there is no recourse for compensation.

Police want to remind citizens that the CRA will never request prepaid credit cards to be used to settle a debt or request information such as passport, health card or driver's licence numbers. It is important for individuals to protect their private information.

Retailers are asked to be attentive to individuals that are purchasing large amounts of pre-paid cards as they may be victims of a scam.