Tax scams on the rise

Durham police say they are receiving more and more calls about a recent tax scam.

Over a seven-hour period on Thursday, Nov. 5, police say the communications and 9-1-1 unit received 71 calls regarding such a scam where the caller, claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency, tells the potential victim they owe money and will be arrested or sued if they aren’t paid immediately. The callers are demanding payment in the form of pre-paid credit cards, electronic money transfers or money orders.

Police say that, fortunately, that there were no reports that the scam was successful during the bevy of calls on Nov. 5.

Police advise residents that if they receive such a call to hang up and not call back, and that if you have lost money on such a scam to report it to police right away.

To protect yourself from scams, police advise never to transfer money, give out credit card or other financial information until you can verify the person’s identity or determine whether it is legitimate. The Canada Revenue Agency does not ask for payment by prepaid credit cards or wire transfers, nor does it send emails to ask for personal information.