The Oceanside RCMP are investigating a tax scam after fielding a flurry of calls Wednesday, May 3, from people reporting that they had received threatening phone calls from people impersonating the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Parksville-Qualicum Beach area residents have reportedly received suspicious calls and even voicemail from someone who claimed to work for the Canada Revenue Agency, police reported in a news release. The caller claims the resident owes back taxes as the result of an audit and claims that the payment must be made immediately or the RCMP will attend their home and arrest them.
The victim is further told that they must phone a certain telephone number without delay, are asked for personal information and then told to wire money.
Luckily, nobody has fallen victim to these high pressure, fraud tactics. Please note, the CRA will not call and tell you owe back taxes, nor threaten you with arrest. Simply hang up the phone.
The RCMP, in consultation with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre are investigating these incidents.
If you have been victimized and have sent money to these scam artists, please call the Oceanside RCMP at 250-248-6111 to report. If you received a call but were not victimized, please consider calling the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
— NEWS Staff and RCMP news release