Have you ever laughed at someone who fell for a scam in which someone poses as a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) staffer because you can’t imagine how a person can be that gullible?
Well, you think twice before doing so because they often prey on seniors with poor hearing.
That’s according to Steve, a Burnaby resident who says his teen daughter saved his mom from getting duped by a scam that is growing in popularity amongst scummy people.
The Burnaby nana, who doesn’t hear well, received a call from someone posing as a CRA employee who said she owed the government money. Nana, Steve said, was upset that she has somehow gotten herself in trouble. She was told she would receive a follow-up call later that day to arrange payment.
“So she was on the phone with her granddaughter and mentioned that she was in trouble,” Steve said. “My daughter couldn’t reach me so she dropped everything and went over to see her nana in case they called. Well, they did and my daughter answered the call and figured out it was scammer. She dealt with it and now we’ve sat my mom down and detailed how this scam works. I’m so proud of my kid.”
Here's how someone can make sure they are talking to an employee from the CRA:
- Tell the caller you would like to first verify their identity
- Request and make a note of their:
- Name
- Phone number
- Office location
- End the call.
- Check the information given during the call is legitimate by contacting the CRA yourself
- This should be done before giving any information to the caller
"Once you complete those three steps, you may call back the CRA employee to discuss the reason for their call," the agency says.
Here are examples of red flags that a scammer is trying to take advantage of someone:
- The caller does not give you proof of working for the CRA
- ie.) Name and office location
- The caller pressures you to act now or uses aggressive language
- The caller asks you to pay with prepaid credit cards, gift cards, cryptocurrency or some other unusual form of payment
- The caller asks for information you would not enter on your return or that is not related to money you owe the CRA
- ie.) A credit card number
- The caller recommends that you apply for benefits
- You can apply for benefits directly on Government of Canada websites or by phone
- Do not give information to callers offering to apply for benefits on your behalf
If you have been a victim of fraud or a scammer has tricked you into giving personal or financial information, you should report the situation by visiting antifraudcentre.ca or call 1-888-495-8501.
You are encouraged to contact local police, your financial institution and credit reporting agencies if you might have been a victim or fraud or unknowingly provided personal or financial information.
- With additional reporting by Jess Balzer
