Warning: texts claiming to be from tax agency a scam

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This article was published 20/03/2024 (575 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Canada Revenue Agency takes some of your hard-earned money off your paycheque, but it will never ask you for money in a text message.

Winnipeg police have warned the public about text messages that claim to be from the Canada Revenue Agency.

Police say the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has received reports from across the country about people getting such texts in advance of April’s income tax deadline.

The message not only includes the victim’s full name and social insurance number, but also asks that a payment be sent to a phone number.

“If you have been part of a breach or a victim of identity theft, fraudsters will use the information as a tool to steal your money,” police said on Wednesday.

Gurpreet Plaha, a spokeswoman for the federal agency, said it will never request payment through a text message.

“It could get very scary when you get a text like that,” Plaha said.

“Don’t click on any links in emails or texts. If you get a phone call, don’t be scared to hang up. Don’t feel pressure. Scammers create a false sense of urgency.”

Plaha said there are times when the agency will use the phone to get in touch with Canadians about tax matters, but they will never tell people to pay outstanding taxes with bitcoin, crytpocurrency or gift cards. She said they will also never threaten people.

“If you hear someone speaking like this, know it is a scam,” she said. “We never threaten you to pay right away.”

Last year, 1,009 Manitobans lost more than $9 million to scammers. Across the country, 29,833 Canadians lost almost $554 million.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca

Kevin Rollason
Reporter

Kevin Rollason is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press. He graduated from Western University with a Masters of Journalism in 1985 and worked at the Winnipeg Sun until 1988, when he joined the Free Press. He has served as the Free Press’s city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin.

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